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FEAT OF IIORATIUS COCLES. 



EICORD'S SERIES OF ROMAN HISTORY. 



THE 



REPUBLIC OF ROME 



BY 

F. W. R I C O K D. 



8®ftl) KIluHtraUonH. 

NEW YORK: 
A. S. BARNES & CO., 51 & 53 JOHN-STREET. 

CINCINNATI: — H. W. DERBY. 
1856. 

^ 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1855, 

By a. S. BAKNES & CO., 

In the Clerk's Oflace of the District Court of the United States for the 
Southern District of New York. 



'li 



\ 



^ 



^- 



R. C. VALENTINE. 
Stsbbottper and Eleotrottpist, GEO. "W. WOOD, Printer. 

17 Dutcli-3t.. cor. Eulton. 3 Dutch-atreet. N. T. 

N«w Tour. 



The absorbing narratives which make up the his- 
tory of the Republic of Rome, are rendered none the 
less instructive to the general reader, and certainly 
none the less essential to the student, by reason of the 
abundant acuteness evinced by Beaufort and Niebuhr 
in disproving the testimonies of Livy and Dionysius. In- 
deed, a very good knowledge of the narratives here col- 
lected is necessary, in order that either pleasure or profit 
may be derived from the writings of these modern his- 
torians. While much of this period of Roman history 
is undoubtedly fabulous, real characters begin to make 
their appearance, and the early struggles between Lib- 
erty and Despotism evince an origin antecedent to the 
fascinating writers of antiquity who have recorded 
them. They are always read and studied with the 
liveliest interest, and so, too, are those exhibitions of 
the love of authority, and thirst of military glory, 
which, taking the place of the stern Roman virtue, 
drained the plains of Italy of its noble inhabitants, and 
sent them to die in distant lands, while their ambi- 
tious leaders, making conquest after conquest, subdued 
Spain, Carthage, Greece, Egypt, Asia, and, at length, 
under Julius Caesar, Rome itself. 



Jttrang^m^nL 



PAG8 

L — ^The Wae -with Poesenna 16 

IL — The "Wae with the Latins 41 

III. — The PATEiaANS and Plebeians 71 

IV. — The Teibunes of the People 87 

V. — ^The Decemvies 121 

VI. — Desteuction of Rome by Ithe Gauls 149 

VII. — ^Foeeign Conquests 173 

VIIL — ^The Juguethine Wae 197 

IX — ^Maeius and Sylla 221 

X — Civil Waes and Conspieacies 253 

XI. — Julius Cssae 285 



lUttstratijans. 



PA6S 



Feat of Horatius Cocles Frontispiece. 

coriolanus and his mother 84 

Death of Virginia 118 

Capture of Caius Marius , 218 

Assassination of Julius Cjbsar 282 



THE WAR WITH PORSENM. 

FROM 501 TO 603 B. 0. 



Things related in the Stories of "The Kings of Rome" 
— ^The consul Publius Valerius — Unjust Suspicions raised 
against him — His Refutation of them — Anecdote of Hora- 
tius Pulvillus — King Tariquinius appeals to Porsenna, king 
of Clusium — Porsenna prepares to make War upon Rome — 
He attacks Rome — Horatius Codes — His Defence of the 
Bridge across the Tiber — ^The Honor paid to him — Porsenna 
besieges Rome — The Story of Caius Mucius — The Story of 
Cloelia. 



I. 

THE WAR WITH PORSENNA, 



The Koman Republic may be said to have 
commenced upon the day wben Brutus and 
Collatinus were elected consuls. Tarquinius 
Superbus was at this time king of Eome ; and 
at the very moment when the revolution took 
place, he and his immense army were encamped 
before the walls of Ardea, endeavoring to 
bring that strong city in subjection to Eome. 
To be completely stripped of his power at home, 
and to be shamefully and helj)lessly driven 
from the midst of his troops, was an event of 
which neither he nor his subjects had dreamed 
two days before its occurrence. Still it is not 
a matter which should occasion surprise, for 
Tarquinius was a detested tyrant, whom the 
people, under a resolute leader, were at any 
moment ready to crush. 
. This leader was Brutus ; and the Roman 



16 Eepublic of Eome. 

Things related in the Stories of the Kings of Eome. 

people vested him and his colleague, Collati- 
nus, with the government of the city. The ar- 
my was withdrawn from the walls of Ardea. 
Joy took the j)lace of the mm^mnring and dis- 
content which had prevailed throughout the 
city. The excellent laws which had been es- 
tablished by King Servius, and abolished by 
Tarquinius, were now restored. The people 
again exercised the rights of freemen ; and 
peace and prosperity seemed to be the destiny 
of Eome. 

But Tarquinius was still alive. The city of 
Cumse had opened its gates to receive him ; arid 
here, mortified and enraged, he spent his time 
in devising means for the recovery of his throne. 
First he resorted to stratagem ; but he accom- 
plished nothing except the sacrifice of the sons 
of Brutus and the destruction of all the friends 
'whom he still possessed in Eome. Then he 
appealed to the Yeientians and Tarquinians to 
aid him in his design. Here again he failed, 
himself and allies being driven in terror from 
the battle-field, while the Eoman army, laden 
with spoils, went home in triumph. 

N"ot long before this last-mentioned event, 
Collatinus, the colleague of Brutus, had been 
obliged to resign the consulship and leave 
Eome, simply because he bore the hated name 



War with Porsenna. 17 

The consul Publius Valerius. 

of Lucius Tarquinius. Publius Valerius was 
appointed in his stead. JS^ow Brutus was gone 
too, having been the first to shed his blood in 
the cause of the Republic. All these things 
liave been related in the stories of The Kings 
OF RoitE. 

The loss of Brutus was a grievous thing for 
the Koman people. He had done more than 
any other man for the accomplishment of their 
freedom. He was, in fact, regarded as their 
deliverer. He had caused his own sons to be 
slain because they had conspired against the 
State, and in him therefore they could place 
the utmost confidence. His death filled them 
with apprehensions ; and they straightway im- 
agined themselves surrounded with snares, and 
destined to become the prey to a tyranny more 
fearful than that from which they had just es- 
caped. Even the consul Publius became an 
object of jealousy and suspicion, because he 
did not immediately cause the vacancy occa- 
sioned by the death of Brutus to be filled. It 
was noised about that he wished to rule alone, 
in order that he might more easily make him- 
self king of Rome. " Why does he choose 
Mount Yelia for his residence?" asked one. 
"He has grown proud and wishes to place 
himself above the common people," was the 

2 



18 Bepublic of Kome. 

The consul Publius Valerius. 

reply of some. "He desires to be king, and 
means to build an impregnable fortress," said 
others. 

Though these remarks and suspicions were 
not accompanied by threats, or violent demon- 
strations, yet they had great effect upon the 
consul Publius. He heard them indeed with 
indignation, for it was far from his intention to 
usurp authority greater than he already pos- 
sessed. Still he resolved to dispel the fears 
entertained concerning him, and therefore is- 
sued a proclamation for the people to meet 
him in a public assembly. When they were 
all convened, he went into their midst, and or- 
dering the fasces to be lowered, mounted the 
tribunal to speak to them. This proceeding 
was highly grateful to the people, for by low- 
ering the fasces he acknowledged their sover- 
eignty. "Eomans," said he, "how excellent 
was the fortune of my colleague, who, after 
having accomplished the deliverance of his 
country, and after having been raisecl to the 
highest post of honor, fell dying in defence of 
the republic ! When his glory was in its per- 
fection he departed ; before the glance of sus- 
picion had been directed towards him, before 
the tongue of jealousy had wounded him. But 
I, surviving the glory which I have won, have 



"War WITH PORSENNA. 19 

The consul Publius "Valerius, 

at last become the object of calumny, and, 
from the character of deliverer of my country, 
I am sunk to the level of those who would have 
betrayed it. Will no degree of merit, then, 
ever gain your confidence, so far as to be se- 
cure from the attacks of suspicion ? Could I 
have the least apprehension that I, the bitterest 
enemy to kings, should undergo the charge of 
aiming at kingly power? Supposing that I 
dwelt in the very citadel, and in the capitol, 
could I believe that I was an object of terror 
to my countrjTnen ? Does my reputation among 
you depend on so mere a trifle ? Is my title 
to your confidence so slightly founded that it 
is more to be considered where I am, than 
what I am? Citizens, the house of Publius 
Yalerius shall be no obstruction to youi- free- 
dom : the Yelian Mount shall be secure to you. 
I will not only bring down my house to the 
plain, but will fix it under the hill, that your 
dwellings may overlook that of your suspected 
countryman. Let those build on the Yelian 
Mount to whom you can better intrust your 
liberty than to Publius Yalerius." 

These few words were sufficient to convince 
the people that their suspicions were unfound- 
ed. They served also to remind them that Ya- 
lerius was the coadjutor of Brutus and Collati- 



20 Republic of Rome. 

The consul Publius Valerius. 

nus in expelling tlie tyrant who had so long 
oppressed them. Shame therefore took pos- 
session of them, and they separated for their 
respective homes, leaving Valerius to enjoy the 
satisfaction of having triumphed over their sus- 
picions. 

Faithful to his promise, he immediately 
caused the workmen who were engaged upon 
his palace to remove the stones and timbers 
from the top of the mount to the vale below. 
Here he erected a modest mansion, and laying 
aside every thing which was calculated to ex- 
cite envy or jealousy, applied himself to the 
administration of his office. The excellent laws 
which he proposed, and his manifest devotion 
to the cause of the people, soon secured the 
confidence of his fellow-citizens ; and he even 
became so popular that the surname of Publi- 
cola was bestowed upon him. 

In a short time Spurius Lucretius was elected 
consul in the place of Brutus ; but being far 
advanced in years, he died in a few days after 
his election. Marcus Horatius Pulvillus was 
placed in his stead. Of him nothing remark- 
able is related, except that on one occasion he 
showed a good deal of self-possession. It seems 
that the temple of Jupiter, though some time 
completed, had never been dedicated. The 



Wak with Poksenna. 21 

Anecdote of Horatius Pulvillus. 

honor of performing the ceremonies on such 
an occasion being very considerable, the two 
consuls, Publius and Horatius, cast lots for the 
office. The lot fell to Horatius. This gave 
great displeasure to the friends of Publius, who 
endeavored in every way to delay and prevent 
the ceremonies. Their efforts were however 
useless. The day was appointed, and all the 
preparations for the occasion properly made. 
A great multitude assembled around the tem- 
ple, and ELoratius began by performing the sac- 
rifices and other preliminaries. Having finish- 
ed these, he laid hold of the door-posts, while all 
present placed themselves in a most reverential 
posture to listen to his pronunciation of the 
solemn prayer of consecration. Just as he had 
raised his eyes and was about calling upon the 
name of Jupiter, the brother of Publius, who 
had watched the opportunity, rushed suddenly 
before him, and exclaimed in an excited man- 
mer : " Horatius, your son has just died." Ho- 
ratius, lowering his eyes and looking for a mo- 
ment at the messenger, calmly replied, "Let 
him then be buried." He then proceeded 
with his prayer, completed the dedication, and 
caused his name to be placed upon the front of 
the temple. 

For a brief period, the affairs of the Eoman 



22 Bepublic of Eome. 

King Tarquiuius appeals to Lars Porsenna. 

Republic seemed prosperous enough. Abroad 
their arms had been triumphant under the di- 
rection of the consuls ; at home the resolution 
of the people to maintain republican principles 
had intimidated the ambitious, and forced the 
proud Patricians to show a degree of kindness 
and justice which they had never before ex- 
hibited. The Senate carried their generosity 
so far as to tax themselves much more than the 
other citizens, and even took pains to furnish 
provisions to the poorer classes at a much low- 
er price than they had been accustomed to 
pay. But in all this they were actuated by 
fears for their own safety ; for enemies to the 
Eepublic were now springing up on every 
hand, and it behooved those who had every 
thing at stake to exercise prudence, and even 
to make some sacrifices. King Tarquiuius, 
though constantly baffled in his undertakings, 
was still determined to recover, if possible, his 
throne; In connection with the defeated Ye- 
ientians and Tarquinians, he made a strong 
appeal to Lars Porsenna, the powerful king 
of Clusium. He laid before him his own 
wrongs ; spoke of the indignities which, through 
him, had been offered to kings, and urged 
Porsenna to revenge the common cause of 
royalty. 



War with Porsenna. 23 

Porsenna prepares to make War upon Eome. 

Porsenna, willing to add to the gloiy which 
he had already acquired, readily took up the 
quarrel of Tarquinius, and forthwith made the 
most active preparations to march a powerful 
army against Kome. He knew full well that 
it was no ordinary war in which he would have 
to engage. The numerous and brilliant victo- 
ries achieved by Koman arms were well known 
to him ; and he did not forget, moreover, that 
in defence of their liberty, they would exhibit 
a degree of valor which a contest for dominion 
or spoils would not call forth. 

The preparations of Porsenna were therefore 
made with the utmost care. His own city of 
Clusium furnished an army sufficient to cope 
with an ordinary foe ; but he was not satisfied 
with this. Messengers were dispatched to all 
the cities of Etruria, with invitations to join 
him in crushing the common enemy of Italy. 
The Latin cities, too, were urged to furnish all 
the aid which they could send, and, from all 
directions, troops flocked daily around his stan- 
dard. 

Intelligence of these vigorous proceedings 
was not long in reaching Kome. The Senate 
received it with terror; and the people, de- 
spairing of being able to resist such a host of 
enemies, were almost ready to yield the city 



24 Eepublic of Kome. 

Porsenna attacks Eome. 

without a blow. Tlie news was carried, too, 
to the seaport of Ostia and spread among the 
shepherds and husbandmen all around the city, 
and so great was the fear that took possession 
of those who heard it, that a general flight took 
place among them. The walls of Rome seemed 
to afford the only safeguard against their innu- 
merable foes. Thither they fled in multitudes : 
the aged and the young. Thither they drove 
their flocks of sheep and goats, their horses 
and mules and cattle ; and thither, from every 
farm-house and hamlet, went long trains of 
wagons loaded with grain and wine and house- 
hold goods, so that every gate of Eome wag 
fairly choked with those who sought refuge 
from the invading foe. 

Nor were the apprehensions of these fugi- 
tives without foundation ; for scarcely had they 
found security within the walls, than, looking 
behind them, they beheld the smoke and 
flames of their abandoned dwellings, and knew, 
by the clouds of dust that filled the sky, that 
their foes were pushing forward, resolved upon 
the total destruction of their State. 

Onward they came, trampling down and 
covering every field and vineyard within sight 
of Rome, and speedily reaching the high wall 
that smTOunded the Janiculum, boldly and vig* 



War with Porsenna. 25 

Valerius and the Roman Senate. 

orouslj plied their batteries against its ponder- 
ous stonework. 

It was a dreadful moment for the Koman 
people ; and the Senate, sick at heart, and cer- 
tain that their power was at an end, knew not 
what to do. They met ; but it seemed rather 
for the purpose of bearing each other company 
in the destruction which they hourly awaited. 
'No one had any plan of defence to propose ; 
and all defence indeed seemed useless, for the 
walls were already tottering beneath the blows 
of hostile engines ; and the shouts of triumph, 
wafted over the heights of the Janiculum and 
across the intervening Tiber, penetrated into 
the very heart of the citadel. 

" Senators," shouted the consul Yalerius, as 
he rushed into the midst of the terrified assem- 
bly ; " why stand ye here idle and craven- 
hearted ? Already the walls of the Janiculum 
are falling before the batteries of Porsenna! 
Once upon its heights, they have only to cross 
the Sublician bridge and Kome will be forever 
lost ! Hasten, Senators ! Let us meet them at 
the River-gate, and be the first to block its 
passage by our mangled bodies !" 

Forth went Yalerius, and forth, too, went the 
Roman Senate with all speed towards the 
bridge which, crossing the Tiber, united the 



26 Kepublic of Eome. 

Horatius Codes. 

Janiculum to tlie more densely inhabited por- 
tions of the city. Here they arrived just as the 
enemy began, one by one, to leap through the 
breaches made in the wall on the opposite side 
of the river. " The bridge must be broken 
down," shouted Yalerius ; " there is no other 
hope for Rome ! Bring axes, my brave Hora- 
tius," he continued, addressing the captain, of 
the gate, — "bring axes ; hew down the bridge." 

" Thou art right, Yalerius," replied Horatius 
Codes ; " the bridge must be hewn down, but 
let this be thy task, while I, with two others, 
cross to the further side and defend the passage 
till your work is done. Who dare follow me?" 
shouted Codes. "If none, then I will meet 
alone the hosts of Porsenna." Saying which 
he sprang, sword in hand, upon the bridge, 
and ran towards the other end, which the en- 
emy were now approaching. Behind ran also 
two brave Romans who had been inspired by 
his words ; and no sooner had the three reached 
the middle of the bridge than the consuls, the 
senators, and the people all began with axes 
and bars to tear it down. 

"Yile slaves," shouted Codes to the fore- 
most of the approaching host, " why do jow 
not seek to secure your own liberty rather than 
to wrest it from those who have had the courage 



War with Porsenna. 27 

Codes' Defence of the Bridge across the Tiber. 

to win it ? By the eternal gods, ye shall not 
pass this bridge until I have covered it with 
dead bodies!" 

At these words a loud peal of laughter rose 
from the troops, who, now, leaping by thousands 
through the broken walls, came dashing towards 
the river. The next moment a cloud of aiTows 
showered do^Ti upon Codes and his brave 
companions ; but they fell harmless upon the 
bucklers and heavy armor which they wore. 
Then the stoutest and bravest warriors from 
the ranks of the enemy, eager for glory and 
confident of success, ran with speai-s and axes 
to win the narrow pass ; but Codes and his 
companions stood like rocks before them, and, 
one by one, the greatest champions of Yeii, of 
Tarquinii, and of Clusium, fell lifeless at their 
feet. 

In the mean time, the Romans on the other 
side of the river, working vigorously with their 
axes, cut away, one after another, the timbers 
which supported the bridge. The last prop 
was all that now remained ; Yalerius, seeing 
that the structure would soon fall, called out, 
" Come back, Horatius Codes ; come back, 
brave Eomans ; the bridge is yet strong enough 
to hold you ; come back, before it is too late." 
The companions of Codes at once obeyed the 



28 Eepublic of Eome. 

Codes' Defence of the Bridge across the Tiber. 

summons, but that fierce Roman, being en- 
gaged in a desperate conflict with a stalworth 
Yeientian, paid no attention to the call. Again 
Yalerius shouted to him, but the words had 
hardly escaped his lips, when the bridge fell, 
with a mighty crash, into the waters of the yel- 
low Tiber. 

A scream of rage now burst forth from the 
disappointed hosts of Porsenna, and a thousand 
arrows were directed against the body of the 
brave Codes. Protecting himself by his broad 
buckler, and succeeding, too, in cleaving to the 
earth the enemy with whom he was engaged, 
he sprang into the Tiber. " Holy father Tibe- 
rius, I beseech thee to receive these arms, and 
this thy soldier, into thy propitious stream," 
said the courageous man, as he leaped from the 
banks of the river. 

Down went Codes loaded with his heavy 
armor, and the deep waters dosed above him. 
.His friends on the one side and his foes on the 
other, all gazed in solemn silence at the spot in 
which he sank. His valor and his intrepidity 
had excited the admiration of his enemies as 
well as of his friends, and sorrow for the possible 
loss of so brave a man seemed to pervade every 
breast. While they were still gazing upon the 
ruffled stream, a black helmet rose above the 



War with Porsenna. 29 

The Honor paid to Codes. . . , 

surface, and presently the iron hands of Codes 
were seen battling against the rapid tide. A 
shout of joy now burst from the Roman ranks, 
and even Porsenna himself, unable to conceal 
his admiration, cried out, " May the gods pro- 
tect yon valiant man and bear him safe to 
shore !" 

Bravely did the weary and wounded Codes 
struggle against the stream ; and gallantly, too, 
did he force a passage through its swift current, 
despite the iron greaves and cumbrous mail in 
which his body was encased. A hundred Eo- 
mans dashed into the water to give him aid, 
but the vigorous stroke of his arm, and the 
flood lifted by his broad shoulders forbade ap- 
proach ; so onward he went alone, even to the 
water's edge. 

As he walked, dripping, up the river bank, 
the consuls, the senators, and the people gath- 
ered around him, and fairly carried him in 
their amis with shouts of joy. It was a glori- 
ous day for Codes. They crowned him with 
the crowns of victory; they gave him the 
choicest lands without the walls ; they made 
him choose the sightliest residence in Rome; 
during the siege which followed, they brought 
him corn and wine, and daily loaded his table 
and his storehouse with every thing that the 



30 Republic of Rome. 

Porsenna besieges Eome. 

market produced; and besides all this, they 
commemorated his bold achievement by a bra- 
zen statue which they erected in the Comitium. 

ISTotwithstanding the admiration which Por- 
senna felt for his foes, he was still determined 
to accomplish their destruction. Failing in his 
meditated attack upon the city, he resolved to 
besiege it, and force the inhabitants to yield, if 
possible, by destroying the fields and hamlets 
which lay aromid it, and by plundering and 
slaying all who unfortunately fell in his way. 
The Romans did not quietly submit to all this. 
Whenever an opportunity occurred, they sent 
bands of soldiers privately from the city, who 
w^ould frequently cut off hundreds of their 
enemies, with very little injury to themselves. 
Stratagems of every kind were resorted to by 
them, and Porsenna, finding upon one occasion 
that he had lost more than five thousand of his 
best troops, resolved to surround the city with 
his vast army, and, by cutting off all supplies 
of provisions, finally starve the people into sub- 
jection. 

It was not long before the citizens began to 
suffer extremely from this blockade. They 
had, fortunately, an unusual quantity of food, 
but every day it was diminishing with great 
rapidity, and starvation or slavery seemed in- 



War avith Porsenna. 31 

The Story of Caius Miicius, 

evitable. In this strait, Rome presented an- 
other evidence of the boldness and patriotism 
of her citizens. 

Three hundred young men of ilhistrious birth, 
determining that they would rather die than 
see Eome subjected to a foreign yoke, bound 
themselves by the most solemn oaths that they 
would free themselves from Porsenna or suffer 
death in the attempt. In accordance with a 
preconcerted plan, one of them, named Caius 
Mucins, appeared one day before the Senate 
and demanded permission to leave the city, 
saying at the same time that he meditated 
something of great importance to the common- 
wealth, and that he was willing to risk his life 
in the undertaking. Permission was granted, 
and he found the means of leaving the city im- 
observed by the enemy. 

Being well acquainted with their language, 
he had no difficulty in mingling with the sol- 
diers and passing himself off as one of their 
number. "Wandering about the camp, he final- 
ly discovered the king's tent; and observing 
that many persons were passing in and out, he 
ventured to intrude upon the royal presence. 
Looking about for the king, his attention was 
arrested by two persons of very dignified ap- 
pearance, and both arrayed in robes of equal 



32 Eepublio of Rome. 

The Story of Caius Mucius. 

splendor. One of them sat motionless and ap- 
parently deep in meditation ; the other, with 
large heaps of gold before him, was constantly 
occupied in giving and receiving messages, 
and in bestowing portions of his gold upon one 
and another who went in and out before him. 

" This busy individual is certainly the king," 
thought Mucius. He dared not, however, ask, 
lest his ignorance should betray him. Firm 
in his resolution, he therefore stole slowly and 
carelessly towards him, and having arrived 
within a distance suitable for his purpose, drew 
forth a knife which he had concealed mthin 
his dress, and plunged it into the heart of his 
victim. 

A cry of horror rose on all sides, and Mu- 
cius, notwithstanding his desperate efforts to 
escape, was speedily arrested. He had killed 
the king's secretary instead of the king, and 
those who held him, dragged him at once be- 
fore the monarch to receive the sentence due 
to his crime. Trembling with rage, Porsenna 
demanded his reason for such monstrous con- 
duct. Without the least manifestation of fear, 
he replied in a firm voice: "I am a Roman. 
My name is Caius Mucius. I came here with 
a determination to kill the enemy of my coun- 
try. Fortune, Porsenna, hath permitted thee 



War with Porsenna. 33 

Effect of the Conspiracy upon Porsenua. 

to escape my sword ; but I shall die contented, 
for the moment will most certainly arrive when 
a more lucky arm than mine will reach thee. 
Prepare thyself, O king ! for henceforth a 
knife is ever pointed at thy heart. Eome does 
not seek the blood of thy soldiers, but thine 
alone, Porsenna !" 

Horrified at such a dreadful announcement, 
the king at once called his guards about him, 
and ordering a fire to be kindled, commanded 
Mucins to reveal the plot in which he was en- 
gaged, under penalty of being burned to death. 
But Mucins advanced to the burning pile, and 
holding his right arm in the flame, exclaimed, 
" See how he despises the body, who has im- 
mortal glory in view !" Without drawing back 
his arm, or even moving a muscle, he sufiered 
his hand to become fairly roasted in the fire. 

Porsenna, regarding for a few moments this 
extraordinary display of fortitude, sprang from 
the midst of his guards, seized Mucins and 
thrust him away from the fire. " Go home, 
young man," he exclaimed ; " I cannot destroy 
such bravery, even though it be used against 
myself. Take the liberty which I give you, 
and depart." -^^ 

Mucins, appearing to be moved more by the 
generosity of Porsenna than by the flames Idn- 

3 



M Republic of Rome. 

Departure of Mucius. 

died for his destruction, tliiis addressed the 
monarch : I desire, O king ! to show you that 
kindness is more powerful with the brave than 
threats; and since you are disposed to honor 
courage, be it known to you, that three hundred 
of the principal youths of Rome have bound 
themselves by an oath to attack you, as I have 
done ; my lot happened to be first ; the others 
will be with you, each in his turn, according 
as the lot shall set him foremost, until fortune 
shall afford an opportunity of succeeding 
against you." 

Having uttered these words, he departed, 
leaving Porsenna most deeply affected by the 
danger to which he now saw himself daily ex- 
posed. One of the three hundred assassins 
had already been within his tent ; the knives of 
the others were doubtless ready to draw his 
blood ; and if in the hands of such daring men 
as Mucius, how small was his prospect of life. 
For some time Porsenna sat upon the tribunal, 
silent and meditative. Having carefully re- 
flected upon his condition, and the chances of 
conquering a people who had resolved' to resort 
to the most desperate measures in self-defence, 
he concluded that it would be the part of wis- 
dom to propose terms of accommodation to the 
Romans. 



War with Porsekna. 35 

The Story of Clcelia. 

Hiri resolution being taken, lie at once sent 
ambassadors to tlie city with offers of peace, on 
condition that Tarquinins shonld be acknowl- 
edged king of Rome. This the Romans per- 
emptorily refused ; and the ambassadors, being 
instructed not to insist upon these terms, yield- 
ed, proposing at the same time to withdraw 
their army, on condition that the Romans should 
give up the lands which they had, some time 
before, taken from the Yeientians ; and that 
they should give hostages for the fulfilment 
of the treaty. The Romans having agreed 
to this, Poi-senna removed his troops from 
the Janiculum and departed to his own 
country. 

It is said that a young woman named Clojlia, 
one of the hostages, watching a favorable o\> 
portunity, escaped as they were about depart- 
ing, with several of her companions, and swam 
across the Tiber, through a shower of darts dis- 
charged at them by the enemy. Amving on 
the opposite shore, she with the others repaired 
to their respective homes ; but Porsenna, hear- 
ing of the affair, was very angry, and sent am- 
bassadors to Rome demanding the restoration 
of Cioelia. 'No sooner, however, had the am- 
bassadors gone, than Porsenna expressed the 
greatest admiration of the conduct of Clcelia, 



36 Re PUBLIC OF Rome. 

The Eomans reward Mucius and Clcelia. 

?aicl declared that if she was restored he would 
jend her back to Rome. 

Faithful to the terms of their treaty, the Ro- 
aiaus caused Clcelia to be sent back to the 
camp of the Etrurians. Porsenna not only 
comj)limented her upon her courageous con- 
duct, but told her that she might return to the 
city and take with her half of the hostages. 
Granting her the privilege of choosing among 
them, it is said that she took the youngest, as 
she considered these most liable to injury from 
the enemy. 

Peace being again restored, the Romans did 
not forget to reward Mucius for his heroic con- 
duct. In addition to the honor which was paid 
to him, the Senate bestowed upon him a large 
tract near the river Tiber, called afterwards the 
Mucian meadows ; and Mucius received the 
name of Scsevola, or the left-handed, because 
his right hand was destroyed by the flames in 
which he held it. JSTor did the conduct of 
Clcelia go unnoticed. Her intrepidity was 
commemorated by an equestrian statue erected 
at the head of the Sacred street. 

Porsenna, unwilling to return home without 
the glory of a single victory, sent a portion of 
his forces to lay siege to Aricia, a city of La- 
tiiim. It proved, however, an unfortunate un- 



War with Poesenna. 37 

rricndsbip between Purseuna and tbe Romans. 

dertaking ; for altlioiigli the attack was entirely 
unexpected, the Aricians contrived to defend 
their city until sufficient aid was received from 
the Latin States and from Cumse, when they 
ventured an engagement in the field. The 
success of the Etrurians seemed at first beyond 
a doubt; but an artful movement on the part 
of the cohorts of Cumse decided the day, and 
the forces of Porsenna were completely beaten 
and scattered over the j)lains. A great many 
of them fled to Rome for protection. Here 
they were so kindly received, that Porsenna, 
in token of his gratitude, gave back to the Ro- 
mans the lands which they had yielded agree- 
ably to the treaty that had been lately made 
between them. 

This circumstance was the cause of so strong 
a friendship between Porsenna and the Ro- 
mans, that Tarquinius, despairing of ever being- 
able to promote his own interests through their 
quarrels, went from Clusium to Tusculum, in 
hopes of procuring the aid of Octavius Mamil- 
iiis, the renowned chief of the Latin nation. 
His application in this quarter was not in vain. 
Mamilius went secretly to work among the cit- 
ies of Latium, and thirty of them joined in a 
league against the State of Rome. 

4 



THE WAR WITH THE LATINS, 

FROM 503 TO 493 B. C 



Increase of the Population of Rome — Public Lands — Pov- 
erty — Debts — Slaves — Octavius Manlius makes War — Diffi- 
culty of raising Troops — Abolishment of Debts — Opposition 
of Appius Claudius — Embarrassment of the Senate— Estab- 
lishment of the Dictatorship — Powers of the Dictator — No- 
ble Conduct of Lartius and Cloelius — Lartius created Dicta- 
tor — Preparations for War — Aulus Postumius — Battle of tlie 
Lake of Regillus — Result of the Battle — Castor and Pollux 
— Peace concluded with the Latins — Death of Tarquinius. 



II. 

THE WAR WITH THE LATII^S. 



Before the Latins had completed their prep- 
arations for war. the Sabines, thinking that 
Rome had been enfeebled and humiliated by 
its late misfortune, began to plunder and annoy 
the inhabitants. Marcus Valerius and Publiiis 
Postumius, who were consuls at this time, im- 
mediately raised a sufficient army, and, march- 
ing into their country, chastised them severely, 
and compelled them to yield a large portion of 
their territories. The Sabines were not, how- 
ever, completely subdued; and the Romans 
were constantly under the necessity of repelling 
their attacks or punishing their obstinacy. I^or 
were these the only enemies of Rome. The 
Volsci and Hernicians, sometimes in connec- 
tion and sometimes separately, made attacks 
npon it, but generally with very little success. 

These cruel and continued attacks upon the 



42 Republic of Rome. 

Attus Clausus — Increase of Population. 

young and struggling Republic were not with- 
out opposition even among tlie people who 
carried them on. A large number of the Sa- 
bines protested against the conduct of their 
countrymen, and used every argument to pre- 
vent them from committing further injuries. 
Among these, was one Attus Clausus, a man of 
great wealth and powerful connections. This 
man, having made repeated but ineflectual ef- 
forts to put an end to the aggressions of his 
people, and finally becoming discouraged and 
disgusted, resolved to abandon his native coun- 
try and move with all his household and riches 
to Rome. A great many others followed his 
example, and it is said that Clausus went to 
Rome accompanied by no less than five thou- 
sand persons. 

This was a very valuable accession to the 
Roman power, and Clausus met, of course, with 
a favorable recej)tion. He was classed among 
the patricians, enrolled in the Senate, and des- 
ignated by the more Roman name of Appius 
Claudius. The rights of citizenship were given 
to those who attended him, and lands upon the 
river Anio assigned for their support. Thus 
was formed the nucleus of what afterwards be- 
came the Claudian tribe. Appius was a man 
of stern and harsh character, loved by the pa- 



War with the Latins. 43 

Public Lands — Poverty. 

tricians, dreaded by the plebeians, and exert- 
ing, as we shall j^resentlj see, a powerful influ- 
ence in Rome. 

It was not until six or seven years after the 
establishment of peace between Porsenna and 
the Romans, that Octavius Mamilins found 
himself prepared to imdertake the destruction 
of the Roman Re]3ublic. When the news of 
his intended invasion reached Rome, the Con- 
suls and Senate were filled with the utmost 
consternation, for, in addition to the troubles 
which threatened them abroad, the utmost dis- 
aftection existed at home. The common people, 
by reason of incessant wars and by the covet- 
ousness of the patricians, found themselves re- 
duced to the most wretched ]30verty. Under 
the dominion of the kings they had always re- 
ceived a share of the booty, together with a 
portion of the lands taken from their enemies 
in war, the remainder being reserved to pay 
the expenses of the State ; but the patricians, 
regarding themselves as the sovereigns of the 
Republic, appropriated to their own use the 
lands which were obtained by battle, or caused 
them to be sold in such a manner as to place 
all the profit in their own coflfers. 

JSTor did they confine themselves to these 
usurpations only. It happened frequently that 



44: Republic gf Rome. 

Debts— Slaves— Octavius Mamilius makes "War. 

tlie crops were insufficient by reason of an un- 
favorable season, or because of the devastations 
of an enemy. Whenever tliis was the case, 
these patricians, finding means to get possession 
of all, compelled the plebeians to have recourse 
to them for the necessaries of life. Those who 
wished food were obliged to borrow money, 
and this Avas lent to them only at exorbitant 
usury. Many thus incurred debts which they 
were utterly unable to pay ; and the law in 
those days permitted the creditor to take the 
debtor, upon default of payment, to his own 
house, and retain him as his slave. Stripes 
and torments were likewise allowed, so that 
the conduct of the j)atricians rendered the suf- 
ferings of the people quite intolerable. 

It was while the complaints of the plebeians 
were rising most loudly to the ears of the Sen- 
ate, that the news came that Octavius Mamil- 
ius, with the combined armies of thirty Latin 
cities, was preparing to march against Rome. 
Already deputies from these people were with- 
in the walls, uttering the most bitter comj)laints, 
and declaring, for the sake of some excuse, that 
the Romans had violated their treaties and for- 
feited the respect and even the mercy of their 
neighbors. Hoping to derive great advantage 
from the embarrassing condition of the Senate, 



War with the Latins. 45 

Difficulty of raising Troops. 

they demanded prompt satisfaction, and used 
violent threats in case of a refusal. 

A sj)eedy and dreadful war seemed inevita- 
ble, and the Roman Senate commenced tlie 
prejDarations usual upon such occasions. If 
their encouragement in beginning was small, 
it almost changed into despair as they proceed- 
ed. The difficulty of raising ti'oops was ex- 
ceedingly great The j^eople, disheartened by 
poverty, were not only averse to supporting a 
government which neither aided nor protected 
them, but they even declared that they would 
not take up arms, that they wonld leave the 
city, and comj^el those who appropriated to 
themselves the wealth, to fight for its possession. 
Various means were adopted to conciliate the 
disaffected, but they utterly refused to listen to 
the wishes of the patricians, unless the Senate 
would pass an ordinance whereby those bur- 
dened with debts might be relieved. 

Failing in all their efforts to restore quiet 
among the plebeians, the Senate resolved to as- 
semble and deliberate upon the demands of the 
rebellious. A difference of opinion was at once 
manifest among those composing this august 
body. Some, naturally inclined to mildness 
and not so rich as others, were favorable to 
making a law which should relieve the poor of 



46 Eepublic of Eome. 

Marcus Valerius on the Abolishment of the Debts. 

their debts; while others declaimed violently 
against it, as unwise and at variance with honor 
and justice. " I am of opinion," said Marcus 
Valerius, a much respected senator, " that by 
abolishing these debts we shall purchase the 
good-will of the citizens at a small price, and 
that the great gain which private individuals, 
as well as the public, may thence derive, will 
amply compensate for so small a loss. Such a 
measure would not be without precedent, for 
we all know that the Republic of Athens, on a 
similar occasion, at the instance of Solon, de- 
livered its poor from the debts which embar- 
rassed them. How glorious will it be for us to 
relieve those citizens who have rendered such 
great service to the Republic, who have shown 
so much courage in delivering their country 
from the cruelty of tyrants, who have always 
been ready to sacrifice themselves for the gen- 
eral good ! Can we ask them to expose their 
lives, while we deny them the most trifling as- 
sistance ? Is not their poverty more worthy of 
compassion than of hatred? Is not, in fact, 
this poverty more rej)roachful to us than to 
them?" 

Having spoken in this manner for some time, 
Yalerius at length sat down amid the applauses 
of a large number of the senators. But the 



War with the Latins. 47 

The Opposition of Appius Claudius. 

cause of the plebeians, Avhich seemed to flourish 
for a season, speedily lost ground when Appius 
Claudius rose to speak. " The Senate has no 
right," said he, "to refuse the assistance of 
laws to those creditors who wish to use severity 
towards their debtors. A law abolishing pri- 
vate debts cannot be made without ruining the 
public faith ; and those in whose favor it is de- 
manded would be the first to suffer. The dis- 
content of the great is not less to be feared than 
the murmurings of the people. Besides, many 
of those who are now suffering from poverty 
have ruined themselves by debauchery; and 
Eome would be happy if they should quit it 
forever. As to the unfortunate, it is but just to 
relieve them ; but let it be the privilege of the 
creditors to distinguish between the worthy and 
the unworthy. The Republic has no right to 
give what does not belong to it; and if any 
among the people are deserving of an exemp- 
tion from their debts, let those who have claims 
upon them be, at least, permitted to enjoy their 
gratitude. As to the sedition, the way to ex- 
cite it, is to fear it. The least show of authori- 
ty will inspire terror, and one or two examples 
of severity will restrain the rebellious and com- 
pel them to return to their duty." 

"With such words he put to silence the sup- 



48 Kefublic OF EOME. ' 

Embarrassment of the Senate— Oppression of tlie People. 

porters of Yalerins, and a long discussion hav- 
ing ensued, the Senate finally adjourned, re- 
solving that they would make no decision in 
the matter until after the termination of the 
war. The people, in return, testified their dis- 
approbation of this proceeding by renewing 
their complaints in more bitter terms, and 
showing in a more decided manner their deter 
mination to try their strength with that of the 
patricians. 

The situation of the Senate became, day by 
day, more embarrassing. Their eflPorts to raise 
an army were not only fruitless, but ridiculous ; 
and in the mean time rumors were constantly 
reaching Rome that the powerful forces of the 
Latins would soon be within their territory 
Consternation and despair were painted on the 
faces of every patrician. The Senate not hav- 
ing sufficient powder to enforce obedience to its 
will, feared that the punishment of the refrac- 
tory would result in a civil war, more to be 
dreaded than the hatred of foreign enemies. 
But all that the Senate lacked in physical 
strength w^as made up in superior cunning ; 
and, finding that they must yield, they deter- 
mined that in doing it they would place the 
people under a yoke worse than that from 
which they hoj^ed to escape. Pretending, there- 



War with the Latins. 49 



Establishment of the Dictatorship— Powers of the Dictator. 

fore, to yield their authority, they resolved to 
introduce into the Republic a magistrate, whose 
power should be monarchical, and superior to 
all law, but of short duration. The substance 
of the decree which they made on this occasion 
was : " That Lartius and Cloelius, who were 
consuls at this time, together with all others in 
public authority, should lay aside their power ; 
that there should be but one magistrate ; that 
he should be selected by the Senate and con- 
firmed by the voice of the people, and that his 
power should not continue longer than six 
months." The people, not foreseeing the con- 
sequences of this decree, received it as a token 
of submission on the part of the Senate, and 
readily agreed to be governed by the newly 
proposed magistrate. 

The destiny of Rome, by the unanimous con- 
sent of the patricians and the people, was thus 
to be placed in the hands of a single man ; a 
man w^liose voice was to be su2>erior to that of 
consul, king, or senate. The laws of custom, 
by which they had been so long bound, togeth- 
er with those which they had written upon 
wood and brass, were to stand or fall as he 
alone might choose ; all the officers of State, 
from the lowest to the highest rank, were to be 
at his disposal ; the treasures of the Republic 

4 



50 Eepublic of Eome. 

Checks upon his Conduct. 

were to be used as lie might deem proper; 
peace and war were to be at his option ; the 
armies were to march wherever he might or- 
der, and the people were to do his bidding, in 
w^hatever station he might choose to place 
them. 

The name of Dictator was given to this new- 
ly created magistrate, and such was doubtless 
the extraordinary powers originally conferred 
upon him, although at a subsequent period, 
when circumstances demanded the exercise of 
this office, these powers were somewhat dimin- 
ished. In later times the dictator could not 
use the public money without the authority of 
the Senate or the consent of the people. I^ei- 
ther could he leave Italy ; nor was he permit- 
ted to ride on horseback without the permis- 
sion of the people ; and, what was a still great- 
er check upon his conduct, he might be called 
to an account for his actions after the expira- 
tion of his term of office. 

It was important that the man selected for 
this office should possess extraordinary abilities. 
He should be skilful in the affairs of govern- 
ment, experienced in the art of w^ar ; he should 
be a man of wisdom and resolution, and espe- 
cially should he be possessed of the greatest 
moderation. 



War with the Latins. 51 

Noble Conduct of Lartius and Cloelius. 

The consuls Titius Lartius and Lucius Cloe- 
lius were both excellent men, and worthy of 
being intrusted with the powers of Dictator ; 
but it was believed that Lartius possessed qual- 
ifications superior to those of his colleague. 
The Senate, willing that either of them should 
be appointed to the office, proposed that they 
should decide the matter between themselves. 
Lartius at once recommended Cloelius as more 
deserving than himself, and Cloelius insisted that 
Lartius possessed abilities superior to his own ; 
nor would either of them acknowledge that he 
merited to be prefen-ed to the other. Such no- 
ble conduct could not fail to win universal ad- 
miration ; and the Senate and people became 
more anxious that one of them should be per- 
suaded to assume the title of Dictator. The 
people especially became eager in their de- 
mands, professing entire willingness to submit 
to the direction of men for whom the glory and 
advantages of absolute power possessed so little 
charm. 

The Senate having waited a whole day, in 
the vain hope that one or the other of the two 
consuls would permit himself to be named for 
the new office, finally adjom-ned. In the even- 
ing, many of the relatives of Cloelius and Lar- 
tius, together with several of the most eminent 



52 Republic of Rome. 

Lartius made Dictator — His Public Appearance. 

senators, repaired to the house of Lartius, and 
besought him in the most earnest terms that he 
would sacrifice his generous feelings to the 
public good. Overcome at length b j their con- 
tinued remonstrances, he consented that his col- 
league should name him as Dictator. 

Having accepted this new office, Lartius re- 
solved to make such an impression on the peo- 
ple as was intended by its creation. To this 
end, he .made his appearance before them 
mth the utmost pomp. The kings had always 
been preceded by twelve lictors, each carrying 
in his hand an axe. These axes had been re- 
moved by the consul Yalerius ; but Lartius not 
only caused the axes to be restored, but he even 
doubled the number of the lictors, in token of 
a power superior to that of kings. The effect 
was j)i'ecisely such as could be desired. A 
magistrate, such as the Dictator presented him- 
self, was little in accordance with the expecta- 
tions of the people. They were not only aston- 
ished but frightened at his appearance, having 
never before reflected upon the immense power 
with which he was clothed. The magnificence 
of his cortege, the proud and commanding air 
which he assumed, reminded them of the kings 
before whom they had lately trembled ; and the 
obedience which they had ^^romised to the new 



War with the Latins. 53 

Impression upon the People — Manner of raising Troops. 

ruler, was now yielded £t*oin the very awe with 
which he inspired them. 

After having made a suitable impression 
upon the minds even of the most turbulent, he 
caused all the citizens to be enrolled with the 
utmost speed. Tlie number of those above the 
age of sixteen years, was found to be a hun- 
dred and fifty thousand and seven hundred. 
Having separated tlie old men from those who 
were able to bear arms, he formed the latter 
into four bodies of infantry and cavalry. The 
first, composed of the bravest and most expe- 
rienced troops, he reserved for himself, and, 
permitting Cloelius, his foiTaer colleague, to 
choose from the others, he gave the third to 
Spurius Cassius his general of cavalry, and the 
last to Spurius Lartius his brother. 

Having completed his arrangements, Lartius, 
leaving one body of ti-oops to protect the city, 
j)Osted the other three at those places where he 
thought they would be most likely to encoun- 
ter the enemy. But he was anxious, if possi- 
ble, to secure peace without bloodshed; and 
believing that he might succeed in negotiating 
with the Latins, he sent prudent men to the 
principal chiefs of this nation, and finally suc- 
ceeded in effecting a truce for one year. 

Althougii a war mth the Latins was inevita- 



54: Kepublic of Eome. 

Preparations made for War. 

ble, still its postponement for so long a time 
was gratifying both to the people and to the Sen- 
ate. Lartius, believing that the office of Dicta- 
tor was no longer necessary for the safety of 
Rome, returned with his army, and resigning 
his authority, named Sempronius Atratinns and 
Marcus Minucius as consuls for the remainder 
of the year. 

ISTothing now was thought of but the prep- 
arations necessary for the deadly straggle 
which must take place between Rome and the 
Latin nation. In order that civil discord might 
be prevented, the Senate issued a decree for- 
bidding creditors to disturb their debtors until 
after the war. They also decreed that any 
Latin women who had married and settled in 
Eome should be permitted to go, with their 
daughters, to the home of their ancestors if 
they chose; they also invited those Roman 
women, who had married and gone into the 
cities of the Latins, to return with their daugh- 
ters to Rome, for none could tell how dreadful 
would be the war which was shortly to begin. 
All the Latin women, it is said, but two re- 
mained in Rome with their husbands; while 
all the Roman women, loving Rome more than 
their husbands, took their young daughters, 
and came back to the homes of their fathers. 



War with the Latins. 65 

Aulns Postumius created Dictator. 

In the mean time, another election for con- 
Bnls had taken place, and Anliis Postumius and 
Titus Yirginius were elevated to this office. 
But it was thought that this war between the 
Latins and the Komans would result in the de- 
struction of one or the other nation; and at 
such a critical time, it was believed that the 
administration of government should be again 
placed in the hands of one person. The two 
consuls were therefore called upon to name a 
Dictator, and the consul Yirginius named his 
colleague, Aulus Postumius, for this important 
office. This was only three days before the 
great battle of the Lake of Kegillus, one of the 
most terrible conflicts in which Eome had ever 
been engaged. 

As soon as every thing was in readiness, 
Aulus put himself at the head of his troops and 
marched forth boldly to meet the enemy. He 
took his course in the direction of Prseneste, a 
city about twenty-five miles eastward from 
Eome. Arriving near the Lake of Kegillus, 
which was not very far from Pr^eneste, he per- 
ceived the immense army of Octavius Mamil- 
ius advancing towards him. His own army 
was by no means small, it being composed of 
twenty-four thousand infantry and three thou- 
sand horse ; but the Latins far outnumbered 



56 EepublicofEome. 

Battle of the Lake of Eegillus. 

him, tliej being three thousand horse and forty 
thousand infantry. 

Approaching each other, they immediately 
formed in battle array. Sextus Tarquinius ap- 
peared at the left wing of the Latins ; Octavius 
Mamilius at the right ; while Titus, the other 
son of Tarquinius, occupied the centre, at the 
head of the exiles, and of those who had pre- 
ferred the party of the Tarquins to that of their 
country. The cavalry was also divided into 
three bodies, one in each wing, and one in the 
centre. Conspicuous, too, among the leaders 
was old lung Tarquinius, though his head was 
now white with the frost of nearly ninety win- 
ters. 

The Roman army, small when compared 
with that of the Latins, drew w-p boldly to the 
contest. Titus JEbutius, general of the cavalry, 
was stationed upon the left ; the consul Yir- 
ginius on the right ; and the Dictator Aulus 
commanded the front of the battle. Though 
the Romans perceived at a glance that their 
force was unequal to that of their enemies, yet 
they were nowise daunted, but seemed rather 
to be endowed with twofold strength when they 
found that their former tyrant and his hateful 
■sons were prominent among the leaders of their 
foes. The knowledge of this fact filled them 



War with the Latins. 57 

The Fury of Ibo Battle. 

with SO nincli fmy, that it was with difficulty 
thej were prevented from rushing headlong 
into the battle. 

Aldus, perceiving the ardor of his troops, 
and hearing, moreover, that the Latins expected 
further reinforcements, gave the signal for the 
battle. JS^othing could exceed the rage and 
obstinacy with which the two armies dashed 
upon each other. That vast line of soldiers, 
extending over hill and dale, as far as the eye 
could reach, seemed suddenly and simultane- 
ously moved as if by magic. Onward they 
flew, their swords and spears giving forth a 
sound that made the earth tremble around 
them. ]^or was the battle confined to the sol- 
diery alone. Those who were highest in com- 
mand were conspicuous in the fight. Even old 
King Tarquinius dashed forward, lance in hand, 
to where it raged most fiercely ; and his son 
Titus fought bravely by his side till obliged to 
retire, wounded by a javelin, ^butius, also, 
the general of the Eoman cavalry, heedless of 
his own person, darted upon Mamilius, com- 
mander-in-chief of the enemy, wounding him 
in the breast, and receiving in return a blow 
that nearly deprived him of an arm. So also 
was Titus Herminius fighting as bravely as he 
did upon the bridge, when Horatius Codes uii- 



58 Republic of Rome. 

Marcus Valerius — The Progress of the Battle. 

dertook to defend it against tlie combined for- 
ces of Porsenna. And Marcus Yalerins, also, 
entered the contest, swearing that as his family 
had the honor of having banished the Tar- 
qninii, so they should j)ossess that of having 
slain them. But the boast of Valerius was in 
vain, for, intent upon killing Titus Tarquinius, 
he rushed madly into the midst of a band of 
Latins, and was pierced by a score of darts. 
Revenge immediately took possession of those 
who witnessed the deed, and the body of Va- 
lerius was soon covered by a hundred of his 
foes. 

The left wing of the Roman army, discour- 
aged by the loss of its chiefs, and vigorously 
attacked by the exiles, began to give way and 
fly. The Dictator Aulus, perceiving it, gave 
orders for a detachment of cavalry to repair to 
the spot and compel the deserters to return, 
or slay them as enemies. Placing himself also 
at the head of a chosen band, he fell furi- 
ously upon the exiles, put them to flight, and 
slew Titus, the son of King Tarquinius. 

This affair, so unfortunate for the Latin ar- 
my, w^as perceived by Mamilius, their leader. 
Fearful of the consequences, he sped with a 
large detachment to aid the routed exiles. But 
Herminius, the lieutenant-general of the Ro- 



War with the Latins. 59 



The Progress of the Battle— Kesult of the Battle. 

man aniiT, recognizing Mamilius bj his clotlies 
and arms, darted upon him and slew him at a 
single blow of his lance. A similar fate, how- 
ever, befell Herminius, for as he stooped to 
despoil Mamilius he was pierced through with 
a javelin, and Laid dead upon the body of his 
foe. 

Still the left wing of the Latin army, under 
the command of Sextus Tarquinius, maintained 
their ground, and the Koman troops were even 
giving way before them, when Aulus, with a 
large body of cavalry, suddenly came to their 
relief. Sextus, believing his situation to be 
hopeless, rushed upon the Komans Avith the 
fury of despair. With his own sword he cut 
down all before him, until at length, entirely 
surrounded by enemies, he was hurled to the 
ground, covered with blood and wounds. 

The Latins, perceiving that their chieftains 
were all slain, were thrown into the utmost con- 
fusion. The inferior officers participating in 
the general alarm, failed to exert any com- 
mand, and in a short time that immense army 
began an inglorious and disorderly flight. The 
victory of the Eomans was complete. The bat- 
tle had continued during the whole day, and 
when they laid down at night, they were sur- 
roujided by the dead bodies of thirty thousand 



60 Eepuelig of Eome. 

The two mysterious Horsemen. 

of their enemies ; they also had in charge 
five thousand prisoners, together with a large 
amonnt of the richest spoils. 

Many wonderful things are related of the 
battle of the Lake of Eegillus. Among others, 
it is said that during one period of the battle 
the Romans gave way so rapidly before the 
Latins, that Atilus fell down upon his knees 
and vowed a temple to the deities Castor and 
Pollux, if they wonld aid him to win the vic- 
tory. JSTo sooner had he risen to his feet than 
two horsemen, arrayed in glittering apparel 
and npon snow-white steeds, appeared at the 
head of the Roman bands, exciting all aronnd 
them to courage, and carrying destruction 
wheresoever they went. Wherever the battle 
was fiercest, there might these shining cava- 
liers be seen : nor did they qnit their danger- 
ous position until the camp was taken and the 
enemy put to flight ; but when Aulus inquired 
for them, in order that he might bestow upon 
them a reward suited to their valor, they could 
not be found, either among the living or the 
dead. As the sun went down, the people of 
Rome became anxious to know how the battle 
had gone ; and while they were wondering as 
to the fate of their friends, there suddenly ap- 
peared in the Forum two shining horsemen ujDon 



War with the Latins. 61 

Castor and Pollux — Triumph of Auius. 

snow-white horses, having every a2:)pearance of 
men who had just come from the battle, and 
their horses all covered with foam. Going im- 
mediately to the fountain by the temple of 
Yesta, they washed away the stains of the 
fight, and related to all who crowded around 
them how the battle had been fought, and how 
it had been won. Then they mounted their 
horses and rode from the Forum; nor could 
they ever be found again, though diligent 
search was made for them in every place. 

Accounts of the battle were sent to the Sen- 
ate and to the j)eo23le on the following day; 
and mention is said to have been made of the 
two shining horsemen. Then eyery one be- 
lieved that Castor and Pollux had aided Aulus 
to obtain his victory, and a temple was accord- 
ingly raised in their honor. 

Great was the rejoicing in Rome when Aulus 
with his victorious army returned, bearing their 
rich trophies, and accompanied by their numer- 
ous prisoners. He was honored with a magnifi- 
cent triumphal ]3rocession, and a tenth part of 
the spoils was set apart for the celebration of 
games, and for the performance of suitable 
sacrifices. . 

These had scarcely been concluded, when the 
Latins sent ambassadors to Eome, chosen from 



62 Eepublic of Eome. 

Peace concluded with the Latins. 

all the principal cities which had opposed the 
recent war. They brought olive branches in 
their hands; and appearing before the Sen- 
ate, made long speeches, in which they con- 
demned the conduct of their countrymen, and 
threw the blame of the war upon their rulers. 
They confessed that they had been justly pun- 
ished, and desired to become the inseparable 
friends of the Eomans, promising implicit obe- 
dience to their commands, and aid to them in 
all their enterprises. 

The Senate did njot seem much inclined to 
listen to their professions, inasmuch as they had 
hitherto proved themselves false and treacher- 
ous. llTevertheless, it was finally determined 
to grant them peace, on condition that they 
would deliver up all their deserters, di'ive away 
the exiles who had taken refuge among them, 
and surrender those whom they had taken pris- 
oners. " Do all this," said the Dictator to 
them, " and then return, and we will conclude 
with you a treaty of peace." 

A fevf days after, the ambassadors returned, 
bringing with them the deserters, whom they 
had caused to be arrested. A treaty of friend- 
ship was then arranged ; and thus, after strug- 
gling fourteen years against the machinations 
of King Tarquinius, Eome at last beheld him 



War with the Latins. 63 



Death of Tarquinius. 



completely overthrown. Driven away from 
the cities of the Latins, he was obliged to take 
refuge in Cumse, where he, at last, died in obscu- 
rity and wretchedness. The news of his death 
was received with great joy at Kome, both 
among the senators and the commons ; but it 
was the signal for fresh injuries to the people, 
and further disturbances of the public peace. 



THE PATRICIANS AND PLEBEIANS. 

FROM 493 TO 491 B. C. 



Seevilius and Appius Claudius — Oppression of the Poor 
— The Story of tlie old Centurion— Trouble with the People 
i— A threatened Invasion — Preparations for Battle — The Vol- 
sci repulsed — Further Troubles on account of the Debts — 
The Sabines attack Rome — The People refuse to enlist — A 
Dictator created — Rome's Enemies defeated — Retirement of 
the People to Mons Sacer — Effort of the Patricians to bring 
them back. 



III. 

THE PATRICIANS AND PLEBEIANS. 



Since the creation of the first Dictator, the 
patricians had learned that their own safety, 
as well as that of the commonw^ealth, depend- 
ed upon their treatment of the poorer classes. 
These must be conciliated, if protection was 
needed against the enemies of the Eepublic. 
One source, and a very great source too, of 
their uneasiness was removed, since death had 
prevented Tarquinius from giving them any 
further trouble, l^o sooner did they see them- 
selves delivered from this fear, than the rich 
commenced the same hateful coui-se which had 
so exasperated the poor upon former occasions. 
Those debts which had before created so much 
trouble, remained still unpaid. They were now 
talked of, and their payment vehemently de- 
manded. The poor expostulated, and earnestly 
plead their inability. The creditors replied, 



68 Kepublic of Kome. 

Servilius and Appius Claudius. 

that they had acted with leniency ; that they 
had submitted to a law which had robbed them 
of their rights ; that the war was at last brought 
to a close, and that the time for the settlement 
of their claims had now arrived. Severity was 
used; and it was not long before the utmost 
cruelty was resorted to. It is not surprising, 
then, that a general discontent should follow, 
and that the city should again be threatened 
with civil discord. In the midst of all this, 
Aulus Postumius resigned the dictatorship, and 
Appius Claudius and Publius Servilius were 
elected consuls. 

The election of these two men to the consul- 
ship was a contrivance, and perhaps a good 
contrivance, of the Senate ; for, although they 
both possessed excellent traits, they were veiy 
different in their dispositions. Appius was a 
man of great resolution, and a severe observer 
of the laws ; while Servilius, on the other hand, 
was gentle, humane, and agreeable to the poor 
and to the multitude. There was nothing more 
certain than a contrariety of opinions between 
them. Servilius could not fail, from the good- 
ness of his heart, to favor the suppression of 
debts, or at least the taking off of the exorbitant 
and accumulated interest, which already ex- 
ceeded the debts themselves. Appius, on the 



Patricians and Plebeians. 69 

Oppression of the Poor. 



contrary, maintained that it was unjust to re- 
lieve the debtor at the expense of the creditor ; 
and he urged that the course proposed by Ser- 
vilius would be regarded by the seditious only 
as a mark of concealed w^eakness, and that new 
pretensions would be thereby fostered. 

Tlie discussions which they held together did 
not fail to reach the ears of the people, and pub- 
lic feeling was exhibited in the praises which 
were bestowed upon Servilius, as well as in the 
curses which were heaped upon the head of 
Appius, his colleague. 

All the efforts of Servilius were in vain. 
The poor were dreadfully oppressed by their 
merciless creditors, who delivered them up to 
prisons and stripes, and made them undergo 
the most cruel ti-eatment. Still they cried out 
bitterly against the law, and made frequent 
and bold endeavors to free themselves from 
their oppressions. Secret meetings were held 
in the night-time ; means of deliverance were 
constantly devised and discussed ; and, in a 
short time, the city was thrown into the most 
violent commotion. 

Upon a certain occasion, while a great num- 
ber of the people were collected together and 
talking over their grievances, a very aged and 
feeble centurion, loaded with heavy chains, 



70 Eepublic of Rome. 



The Story of the old Centurion. 



threw liimself in their midst, claiming their 
protection. His clothes were soiled and torn, 
his face pale and disfigured, and his whole ap- 
pearance gave evidence of the grossest mal- 
treatment. Notwithstanding his pitiful and 
wi'etched condition, there were many present 
who recognized him, and who said that he had 
formerly been a centurion that had often won 
distinction by his bravery in battle. He him- 
self showed the scars which he had received in 
various combats, and gave the names of the 
consuls and officers under whom he had served. 
Upon being asked by the multitude, whence he 
came, and. why he was in such a deplorable 
condition, he replied, that while he was serving 
in the war against the Sabines, the enemy had 
fallen upon his property, destroying not only 
the crops w^hich covered his fields, .but the 
house which protected his little ones ; that 
they had carried away his flocks and herds, 
and all that he had laid by to support himself 
and family. He said, too, that, to increase his 
misfortunes, a heavy tribute had been exacted 
from him at a time w^hen he was without the 
means to pay it ; that, in order to satisfy this 
demand, he had been compelled to borrow 
money on exorbitant interest ; that this interest 
. having accumulated, he had been obliged first 



Patricians and Plebeians. 71 



Effect of the Story upon the People. 



to sell his lands, then his household goods, and, 
finally, that he had been compelled to deliver 
himself as a slave to those who had taken pos- 
session of his substance. He said, moreover, 
that his creditors had treated him, not as a 
slave, but as a criminal condemned to the 
severest punishment; and in j^roof of this, 
exhibited upon his back the marks of the 
whips and rods with which his flesh had been 
torn. 

As soon as he had finished speaking and 
showing his wounds, the people raised a tu- 
mult which pervaded the whole city; others 
who had sufiered similar maltreatment, ran 
from all quarters, imploring the protection of 
their fellows, and the multitude soon became 
so great as to create considerable alarm among 
the patricians. Some of them, indeed, would 
have doubtless lost their lives, had not the 
consuls hastened to appease the anger of the 
populace. As soon as these magistrates made 
their appearance, the multitude turned towards 
them, and exhibited the chains and ignomini- 
ous stripes that had been inflicted upon those 
who had hazarded their lives in behalf of the 
Eepublic. They demanded, in threatening lan- 
guage, that the Senate should be assembfed at 
once, and that something should be done to 



T2 Republic of Rome. 

Trouble with the People— An Alarm. 

protect them from the injuries to which they 
were exposed. 

Some of the senators having collected to- 
gether, the people assembled in crowds aromid 
their place of meeting, determined that they 
should act promptly and efficiently in their be- 
half. But either through fear, or a disinclina- 
tion to act, they sent out word to them that 
there was not a sufficient number present to 
transact business. This excuse was not, how- 
ever, satisfactory, and the tumult continued 
with increasing fury. The absent senators 
being finally convened, they promised to do 
something at once to relieve the people. 

In the midst of all this tumult, the attention 
of the multitude v/as suddenly attracted to- 
wards a horseman who was seen riding furi- 
ously over the distant hills in the direction of 
Rome. Onward he came, as if life depended 
on the speedy fulfilment of his course. The 
multitude gazed and w^ondered, and seemed for 
the time to forget the cause which had brought 
them together. Presently the horseman was 
hid behind the walls which he was rapidly ap- 
proaching ; and then the city gates flew open, 
and, without slackening his pace, he bounded 
forward towards the place of assembly. " To 
arms I To arms, Romans!" he shouted; "the 



Patricians and Plebeians. T3 

A threatened Invasion — Joy of the People. 

Volscians are coming, with an army more nu- 
merous than the trees of the forest !" 

The man who brought this intelligence was 
a friendly chieftain of the Latin nation, and no 
one doubted the truth of w^hat he said. A pro- 
found silence instantly j^ervaded the vast as- 
semblage. Presently there arose a shout of 
fiendish joy, that rang long and loudly through 
the distant hills and valleys. " The gods are 
on our side!" shouted the furious multitude; 
" they will soon humble the pride of these in- 
human senators. Let the Yolscians come ; and 
let us all, plebeians and patricians, die to- 
gether 1" 

The new^s of the threatened invasion had now 
reached the senate-chamber ; so, too, the shout 
of joy with which it had been received by the 
maddened people. All was confusion and un- 
certainty. Tlie senators, at length recovering 
somewhat from their shock, besought the con- 
sul Servilius, who was more popular than his 
colleague, to go out and endeavor to appease 
the people, and bring them back to a sense of 
their duty. Appearing in their midst, Servilius 
assured them in the most soothing manner, that 
the Senate were seriously deliberating upon the 
best means of gratifying their wishes. He rep- 
resented to them that the consternation pro- 



H Eepublic of Eome. ^ 

Mixrmurings cease— Preparations for Battle. 

duced by hearing of the approach of their 
enemies, together with the necessity of imme- 
diate action on their part, made it impossible 
for them to labor effectually in behalf of the 
private interests of the citizens. He implored 
them, for the sake of their wives and children, 
to lay aside their hostility towards the patri- 
cians, and to aid in the public defence. He 
promised also that upon the close of the war, 
ever}^ thing should be done which could pro- 
mote their welfare ; and decreed that, in the 
mean time, no debt whatever should be pros- 
ecuted. 

The well-known kindness of Servilius, the 
zeal which he had always manifested in behalf 
of the people, together with the mildness and 
eloquence with which he spoke, were powerful 
enough to calm all murmurings. The people 
permitted themselves to be enrolled, and even 
exhibited considerable ardor in ranging them- 
selves under the standards of their leaders. 
Marching out of the city, with Servilius at their 
head, they encountered the enemy, who were 
hastening forward, confident of victory. The 
battle was delayed until the consul felt assured 
that the sudden animation of his troops was not 
affected. Seeing that they were really eager 
for the combat, he gave the signal, and never 



Patricians and Plebeians. T5 

The Volsci repulsed. 

did soldiers display greater bravery or intrepid- 
ity. The Yolscians, unable to withstand their 
attack, fell back terrified and confused. The 
Romans pursued them even into the midst of 
their camp. Their triumph was complete ; and, 
loading themselves with booty, they marched 
on to Suessa Pometia, where the remnant of 
the enemy had fled. Here the Yolscians de- 
fended themselves with much obstinacv during 
several days, but were finally compelled to 
yield. Having pillaged all the houses and 
stores, and put the inhabitants to the sword, 
Servilius returned with his victorious troops to 
Rome. 

These additional victories inspired the peo- 
ple with a hope that the Senate would now 
grant the relief which had been promised to 
them through the consul Servilius. A short 
time, therefore, after their return from the re- 
cent campaign, they demanded a fulfilment of 
the promise. But Appius had become jealous 
of the success of his colleague Servilius, and, 
in order to throw him into contempt, he caused 
the law to be enforced with all its severity 
against debtors. Those who were thereby per- 
secuted resorted to Servilius for protection : 
but it was all in vain ; for even if he had been 
able to help them, he was now disinclined to 



76 Republic of Rome. 

Further Troubles grow out of the Debts. 

interfere, inasmuch as his colleague and all the 
nobility were favorable to opposite measures. 
But by this course of conduct he not only ac- 
quired the hatred of the plebeians, but lost 
the esteem of the patricians ; the former re- 
garded him as a deceiver, and the latter con- 
sidered him as devoid of the firmness necessary 
to a ruler. 

The people now, giving up all hopes of pro- 
tection, resolved to take matters in their own 
hands. Persons were stationed in the neigh- 
borhood of the courts for the purpose of watch- 
ing whatever transpired. Whenever any debtor 
was seized and led in for trial, a crowd rushed 
in from all quarters, making so much clamor 
and confusion as to prevent the voices of the 
oflScers from being heard, and likewise to deter 
any one from executing the sentence of the 
law. The people seemed likely to obtain by 
force what they had failed to procure by en- 
treaty ; and the creditor, who was now assailed 
and abused by the angry multitude, seemed 
even in greater dread of losing his liberty than 
the debtor. In the midst of this difficulty, an 
alarm was spread that the Sabines were intend- 
ing to make an attack upon the city. Orders 
were promptly issued for a levy of troops, but 
not a single man would suffer himself to be en- 



Patricians and Plebeians. Y7 

Attack of the Sabines— The People refuse to enlist. 

rolled. Dismay again took jDossession of the 
Senate. The consnl Servilius flattered the peo- 
ple in vain, and in vain did the consul Appius 
scold and threaten to visit their disobedience 
with the severest penalties of the law. They 
bade the senators to take np arms themselves ; 
they told Servilius that his promises were no 
better than those of their perjured allies, and 
they ridiculed the rage of Appius and dared 
him to execute the threats of which he was so 
lavish. Every day matters grew worse and 
worse, and most serious fears were entertained 
for the safety of the commonwealth. 

About this time, the terms of the consuls 
Servilius and xlppius drawing to a close, the 
friends of the Eepublic hoped that the election 
of consuls more agreeable to the people w^ould 
be productive of some degree of quiet. Aulus 
Yirginius and Titus Yetusius were the persons 
elected to office ; but the people, now uncer- 
tain as to what kind of governors were set over 
them, held regular nightly meetings upon the 
Esquiline and Aventine mounts, in order that 
they might, at any time, be able to act prompt- 
ly and in concert. These meetings caused 
great uneasiness to the consuls, and the Senate 
upbraided them in the bitterest terras, because 
they did not put a stop to them, and make ex- 



t8 Eepublic of Eome. 

Vain attempts to raise Troops— Dictator created. 

ainples of the ringleaders. A decree was now 
passed, that the consuls should enforce the lev- 
ies with the utmost strictness. This they ac- 
cordingly attempted, and, mounting the tribu- 
nal, they cited the younger citizens by their 
names ; but no other answer w^as made except 
a shout from the multitude, " that the common 
people could no longer be deceived ; and that 
not a single soldier should be raised until the 
public engagements were fulfilled ; that every 
man must have his liberty restored, before arms 
were put into his hands, in order that the j)eo- 
ple might be convinced that they were to fight 
for their country and fellow-citizens, not for 
their masters." 

It w^as evident enough to the consuls, that 
neither they nor the Senate possessed sufficient 
power to control this determined multitude ; 
so, after making one or two vain efiorts' to en- 
force obedience, they concluded to resign their 
office and create a Dictator. 

The person whom they selected was Marcus 
Yalerius, the brother of Publius Yalerius, who 
had always been a great favorite of the people. 
The choice proved very acceptable to every 
one, and he at once gained the confidence of 
all, by proclaiming that no person should be 
molested on account of debt, and by promising 



Patricians and Plebeians. 79 

The Enemies of Rome again defeated — Further Trouble. 

to terminate, at the close of the campaign, all 
the difficulties of the commons. The citizens 
once more gave in their names, and suffered 
themselves to be enrolled without any opposi- 
tion. Ten legions were raised, each composed 
of four thousand infantry and three hundred 
cavalry. Three of these were placed under 
the command of each consul, and four under 
the Dictator. 

There was no further time to be lost. The 
Equans were already invading the territories 
of the Latins, and ambassadors were in Rome 
beseeching the Senate to send troops to the as- 
sistance of their allies. The Yolscians, too, 
were in the field, and the Sabines were com- 
mitting depredations on every hand. Onward, 
therefore, went the Roman armies, led in dif- 
ferent directions by the consuls and the Dicta- 
tor, and, though far surpassed in numbers by 
their foes, victory failed not to accompany them. 
The Equans, the Yolscians, and the Sabines 
were cut to pieces, or sent flying to their homes ; 
and the Roman leaders brought back their 
troops covered with glory and laden with the 
spoils of their enemies. 

As soon as the army had returned to Rome, 
the Dictator Valerius appeared before the Sen- 
ate, and demanded of them what course they 



80 Republic of Rome. 

Valerius resigns the Dictatorship. 

intended to pursue in regard to those persons 
who were confined for debt. In reply to his 
inquiries, the Senate giving him to understand, 
that they were opposed to taking the matter 
into consideration, Valerius thus addressed 
them : " My endeavors, senators, to restore 
concord are, I see, displeasing to you ; believe 
me, when I solemnly declare, that the time 
will shortly come when you will wish that the 
commons of Rome had just such j)atrons as I 
am ; as to myself, I will neither be the means 
of further disappointments to the hopes of my 
countrymen, nor will I hold the office of Dicta- 
tor without eifect. Intestine discord and foreign 
wars made it necessary for the commonwealth 
to have such a magistrate ; peace has been 
procured abroad ; at home it is not suffered to 
take place ; it is my determination then, in time 
of sedition, to appear in the character of a pri- 
vate citizen, rather than in that of Dictator." 

Having delivered this speech, he left the Sen- 
ate chamber, abdicating at the same time the 
dictatorship. The common people, believing 
that he had resigned his office on account of 
the ill-treatment which they had received, at- 
tended him, as he retired to his house, with 
gratitude and applause. 

Upon the abdication of Yalerius, those le- 



Patricians and Plebeians. 81 

Retirement of the Plebeians to Mons Sacer. 

gions assigned to him were disbanded accord- 
ing to custom ; but the other six legions which 
had been under the command of the consuls 
were still kept together, and ready for service. 
In order that they miglit not be broken up, the 
Senate instructed the consuls to lead them out 
against the Equans, who, they pretended, had 
renewed their hostilities. The design of the 
patricians was, however, too evident, and the 
commons resolved unanimously, but silently, 
that they would no longer suffer themselves to 
be deceived. Obedient to the commands of 
the consuls they took up their arms, and, 
marching forth from the city, encamped on the 
banks of the river Anio near to Eome. 

The day drawing to a close, they lighted 
their camp-fires and made the usnal prepara- 
tions for the night. But as they were all going 
about, each in the performance of his respective 
duty, word was passed around, from man to 
man, that none of the commons should go to 
sleep that night, but be ready at a signal to 
follow their secret leaders. At the appointed 
time, when the patricians, stretched upon their 
soft couches, were locked in slumber, they all 
marched silently forth with their arms and 
standards, and took possession of a fortified 
hill about three miles distant from the city. 



82 Eepublic OF EOME. 

The Patricians strive to bring them back. 

The vexation of the consuls and of the offi- 
cers may be easily imagined, when, at the 
break of day, they discovered themselves to 
have been entirely deserted by their troops ; and 
it being no difficult matter to ascertain the direc- 
tion in which they had gone, we cannot doubt 
that immediate measures were taken to bring 
back the deserters to their duty. The proud 
patricians followed, then, with all speed in the 
track of their revolting army, and reaching the 
base of the hill where the rebels had encamped, 
sought, by alternate reproaches and promises, 
to win them again to obedience. 

" Enough, enough !" shouted Sicinius, who 
acted as a leader among the soldiers. " How 
have ye the heart, O patricians, to call back 
men whom ye yourselves turn into slaves or 
exiles ? How will ye give us faith in promises 
so often broken as yours have been? If ye 
wish the city to yourselves, go hence unhin- 
dered ; but for us, our country shall be that in 
w^hich w^e can find liberty." 

The consuls and the patricians were soon 
convinced of their inability to contend against 
so much resolution, and, therefore, quietly 
mounting their horses they turned towards 
Kome. 



THE TRIBUNES OF THE PEOPLE. 

FEOM 491 TO 486 B. C. 



Fears of the Patricians — Embassy to the Revolters — Their 
Reception and Offers — Discourse of Junius Brutus — Fable 
related by Menenius — Reconciliation of the Plebeians — Cun- 
ning of Brutus — Tribunes of the People created — Their 
Powers — The -^diles — Famine in Rome — Coriolanus — His 
Character — The Hatred of the People towards him — He is 
cited before them — Efforts made to save him — His Trial and 
Condemnation — He offers his Services to the Volsci — He 
goes to the house of Tullus Attius — His Reception — Enters 
into the Service of the Volsci — Marches against Rome — Fail- 
ure of the different Embassies sent to him — His Mother pre- 
vailed upon to intercede with him — Her Appeal to him in 
behalf of Rome — Her Success — Death of Coriolanus. 




CORIOLANUS AND HIS MOTHER. 



IV. 

THE TRIBUl^ES OF THE PEOPLE. 



No sooner had the news of the revolt of the 
plebeians reached Kome, than the whole city 
was thrown into the greatest commotion. Those 
who had friends and relatives among the reb- 
els, naturally felt for them the gi-eatest solici- 
tude, and in many cases undertook to join 
them. The patricians, meanwhile, terrified by 
the loss of citizens upon whom they depended 
for defence and service, endeavored to retain 
all who remained behind, and, closing the 
gates of the city, promised to make the most 
friendly efforts to bring back those who had 
thus gone into voluntary exile. There were 
many, nevertheless, who fled to join their kins- 
men upon the Sacred Hill. 

The city, tlms deserted, was in the utmost 
danger from its numerous foes, who, in time, 
hearing of the civil discord by which it had 



88 Eepublic of Rome. 

Fears of the Patricians — Embassy to the Eevolters. 

been rent, would be certain to make it an easy 
prey. To make the best of their condition, the 
patricians armed themselves, their clients, and 
as many as they could gather from the lowest 
classes of the plebeians. ' They strengthened 
also the gates, manned the towers, and set their 
posts without the walls. Besides all this, through 
the temperate counsels of the wiser patricians, 
it was resolved to send an embassy to the re- 
volters, who still remained upon the hill by the 
river Anio, increasing daily in number, and 
procuring such food and shelter as the neigh- 
boring lands afforded. It may be easily im- 
agined that the revolters themselves were quite 
as anxious as the patricians to become recon- 
ciled with their countiy men, for it was not very 
probable that they could form a more agree- 
able alliance ; and the means of gaining a sub- 
sistence, after the harvests around them had 
been reaped, would be very scanty indeed. 

When, therefore, the commissioners, sent by 
the Senate, came within sight of the hill, the 
whole throng of revolters descended to meet 
them. At their head was Sicinius, whose name 
has been already mentioned, and Junius Bru- 
tus, a very quick-witted and self-esteeming per- 
sonage. At the head of the embassy was Me- 
nenius Agrippa, whose off-hand eloquence had 



Tribunes of the People. 89 

Eeception of the Embassy. 

made him a general favorite at Eome. He 
had, moreover, spnmg from the plebeians him- 
self, and was, therefore, a very suitable person 
to be intrusted with such a matter. 

Eeaching the great multitude that flocked 
down the hill to meet him and his associates, 
he made known to them at once the wishes of 
the Senate, and besought them to return peace- 
fully to Kome. But the plebeians, who had 
been apprised of the approach of the embassy, 
determined to cross at first the negotiations of 
the commissioners, and, by raising obstacles to 
union and peace, to gain every possible advan- 
tage. Accordingly, when they had stated their 
message from the Senate, Junius Brutus imme- 
diately cried out: "The Senate betray their 
fear ; we are masters if we know hov/ to im- 
prove this opportunity; speak, then, all that you 
have to say, and I will endeavor to answer, in 
the name of my comrades, in such a way as 
wdll be equally useful and agreeable to them." 

It was thereupon agreed that the commis- 
sioners and the multitude should reascend the 
hill and talk the matter over in the camp. 
Having here arranged themselves in the most 
convenient manner, both for speaking and list- 
ening, M. Valerius began the negotiation by 
offering, in the name of the Senate, pardon to 



90 Republic of Rome. 

Offers to the Eevolters — Delibenitions. 

all the revolters, and, at the same time, an 
earnest appeal to them to return to the city, 
where their wives and children were sighing 
for their embraces. 

This speech was replied to by Sicinius, who 
urged that, before the people consented to this, 
it was but just that they themselves should 
open their grievances, and know what they 
might hope from the fine promises of the Sen- 
ate. Closing his harangue with a call upon 
the soldiers to defend the j)ublic liberty, he 
was immediately followed by Junius Brutus, 
who addressed himself to the multitude in such, 
a way as to encourage them in their revolt, 
and to increase in them a hatred of the patri- 
cians, who were already beginning to feel the 
want of their protection and their service. 
Then, turning towards the ambassadors, he 
cried out : " You invite us to return to Rome, 
but you do not tell us upon what conditions. 
You talk to us of nothing but pardon and for- 
giveness, as if we were your subjects, and sub- 
jects in rebellion ; but that is the point to be 
decided. The question is — Which is in the 
fault, the people or the Senate ? which of these 
two orders first violated that common society 
which ought to subsist between the citizens of 
one and the same republic ?" 



Tribunes of the People. 91 

Discourse of Junius Brutus. 

In a long oration, he then related to them a 
nnmber of facts by which he showed the con- 
tinued devotion of the commons to the higher 
classes, and the self-sacrificing spirit which they 
had ever manifested in their behalf; and con- 
cluded by asking them to show what recom- 
pense the commons had ever received for their 
assistance. "Instead of assistance," said he, 
" have not our bravest soldiers, oppressed with 
the weight of usury, groaned beneath the chains 
of their merciless creditors? Have not your 
promises to relieve us been forgotten, and have 
not our services been denied ? Sufier us, then, 
to depart from a country where we are treated 
like so many slaves ; and, so long as we have 
our swords in our hands, we shall be able to 
open for ourselves a way into more fortunate 
climes." 

Every one of the multitude, by his looks and 
gestures, testified to the truth of these words ; 
and many came forward and showed the marks 
of the stripes and injuries which they had re- 
ceived. T. Largius, the head of the embassy, 
endeavored to justify the conduct of the patri- 
cians and of the creditors ; but he only made 
the matter worse, and even provoked Siciniua 
to inteiTupt his speech, and to order him and 
his fellow commissioners to propose the condi- 



92 Republic of Rome. 

Conciliatory Speech of Menenius — A Fable. 

tions which they were empowered to make, or 
to leave the camp at once. 

This brought out Menenius, a man of great 
prudence and penetration, who, in a speech full 
of moderation and wisdom, was able to win the 
attention and respect of the multitude. He 
stated to them that the Senate had carefully 
inquired into the poverty of the plebeians and 
the severity of their creditors, and that it was 
their determination to annul all obligations, 
and to declare the poor citizens free of all man- 
ner of debts. Taking advantage of the soften- 
ing influence of his words, he represented to 
them how necessary it was to the State that one 
part of the citizens should be richer than an- 
other, and enforced this maxim by relating to 
them the following fable : " At a time when 
the members of the human body did not, as at 
present, all unite in one plan, but each member 
had its own scheme and its own language, the 
other parts were provoked at seeing that the 
fruits of all their care were applied to the use 
of the stomach ; and that the stomach mean- 
while remained at its ease, and did nothing but 
enjoy the pleasures provided for it. On this 
they conspired together, that the hands should 
not bring food to the mouth, nor the mouth 
receive it if ojffered, nor the teeth chew it. 



Tribunes of the People. 93 

The Plebeians reconciled — Cunning of Brutus. 

While they wished, through these angry meas- 
ures, to subdue the stomach through hunger, 
the members and the whole body were, together 
with it, reduced to the last stage of decay. 
From thence it aj^peared that the office of the 
stomach itself was not confined to a slothful 
indolence ; that it not only received nouri^- 
ment, but supplied it to the others, conveying 
to every part of the body that blood on which 
depends our life and vigor, by distributing it 
equally through the veins, after having brought 
it to perfection by digestion of the food." 

Making an application of this fable to the 
present case, and showing the great similarity 
between the dissension of the members and the 
resentment of the commons against the patri- 
cians, he made a powerful impression upon the 
people. "Receive our embraces as the first 
fruits of peace," said he, " and let us enter all 
together into Rome ; let us jointly carrv thither 
the first news of our reunion ; and may the gods 
who protect this empire, grant that it may be 
hereafter celebrated by new victories !" 

All the people, moved by this speech, cried 
out to Menenius that they were satisfied, and 
that he might lead them back to Rome. But 
the cunning Ei'utus checked their sudden trans- 
port, and insisted upon having some pledge of 



94 Eepublic of Rome. 

Tribunes of the People created. 

the sincerity of the patricians. "Grant ns," 
said he, " some officers chosen out of the body 
of the plebeians ! We ask for them neither 
pm-ple robes, nor the curule chair, nor the lie- 
tors; but let them have the power to hinder 
the injustices that may be done to the people, 
and to defend their interests, both public and 
private." 

This demand took the commissioners by sur- 
prise ; and having conferred together on the 
subject, they agreed that this exceeded the 
bounds of their instructions, but that some of 
them would go back to the city and obtain the 
answer of the Senate. The distance not being 
great, and the Senate being easily convened, it 
was determined, after some discussion, to end 
the dispute by allowing the Plebeians to elect 
yearly from their number certain magistrates, 
who w^ere to be called Tribunes of the People. 
Before leaving their camp upon the hill, they 
accordingly elected, for the first Tribunes, L. 
Junius Brutus, and C. Licinius Bellutus, the 
leaders of the revolt.* And now having noth- 
ing to detain them any longer from Rome, they 
first performed a sacrifice to the gods upon the 

* Livy says that C. Licinius and Lucius Albeuus were the 
first Tribunes, and that tliey created three colleagues, one of 
Rrliora was Sicinius. 



Tribunes of the People. 95 

Powers of the Tribunes. 

hill, which they afterwards called Mons Sacer ; 
and then, led by their Tribunes and the com- 
missipners, they went to the embraces of their 
wives and their children. 

The establishment of the Tribuneship was 
another change in the form of the government 
of Rome. From a monarchy to a kind of aris- 
tocracy, it w^as by slow steps approaching a 
democracy. 

The Tribunes, it is true, had little in their 
appearance to awaken any apprehension on 
the part of the proud patricians. They were 
dressed like the plainest.citizens, attended only 
by a single servant called mator^ and never ad- 
mitted inside of the senate-chamber, except on 
invitation. But they had the right to oppose 
and wholly nullify the decrees of this august 
Senate by simply using the little Latin word 
mto^ which means, I forbid it; and this they 
wrote at the bottom of these decrees, when they 
thought them contrary to the liberty of the 
l^eople. This was a simple and unobjection- 
able means of preventing oppression ; but it 
will be seen in the end that, under pretence of 
securing the liberty of the people, these humble 
magistrates concealed a design of ruining the 
authority of the Senate. It was not long before 
they obtained permission to choose, as their as- 



Eepublic of Eome. 



The JEdiles— Famine in Eome— Coriolanus. 



sistants, two plebeians, with the title of sediles^ 
who, from acting as their agents, finally became 
inspectors of the public edifices, baths, aque- 
ducts, &c. Still Eome presented every appear- 
ance of repose, and the friendly feelings be- 
tween the plebeians and the patricians seemed 
to be sincere and durable. But the fire of di- 
vision had not been wholly quenched. 

During the consulate w^hich followed the re- 
volt, a terrible famine occurred, and, as a mat- 
ter of course, all kinds of provisions were sold 
at an excessively high price. Bitter complaints 
were made on the part of the people, and it was 
commonly believed that the patricians, having 
their granaries full, had occasioned the public " 
dearth, in order to make up to themselves the 
abolition of the debts. This opinion was very 
much strengthened, too, by the conduct of Mar- 
cius Coriolanus, an avowed enemy of the power 
of the Tribunes. " If the plebeians wish to have 
provisions at the usual price," said he, "let 
them restore to the patricians their former 
rights. Why am I obliged, after being sent 
under the yoke — after being ransomed, as it 
were, from robbers — to behold plebeian magis- 
trates, to behold Sicinius invested with power 
and authority ? The road is open to the Sacred 
Mount, and to other hills ; let them carry off 



Tribunes of the Pecple. 9T 

The Character of Coriolanus. 

the corn from our lands, as they did two years 
ago." 

This Marciiis Coriokmus was descended from 
one of the most ilkistrious patrician families in 
Rome. He had been brought np with great 
care by his mother, Yeturia, a woman of noted 
austerity, wiio had taken every pains to inspire 
him with her owm sentiments. At an early 
period, he showed great capacity for the art of 
war. Indeed, he received the surname of Co- 
riolanus for having distinguished himself so 
much in the capture of Corioli, one of the cities 
of the Yolsci, which he set on fire with his own 
hand, performing at the same time many val- 
orous exploits. His harshness of manner w^as, 
however, so great, that he could never make 
himself a favorite among the people, who, 
while they admired his valor, his uprightness, 
and his generosity, dreaded his severity and his 
pride. When he w^ished the consulship, the 
plebeians therefore refused to him their votes, 
and for this reason he ever entertained for 
them the greatest hatred. It is not surprising, 
then, that he should have endeavored to avenge 
himself upon the plebeians, at a time when 
their poverty threw them so comj^letely in his 
power. 

The speech of Coriolanus, just now quoted, 
7 



98 Eepublic of Rome. 

Hatred of the People towards Coriolanus. 

was highly applauded by the younger senators, 
who openly advocated the abolishment of the 
Tiibimeshij) ; but the Tribunes, on the other 
hand, who happened to be present by invita- 
tion, were Very much incensed ; and assem- 
bling the people tumultuonsly, they cried ont 
that the patricians had made a league to de- 
stroy them, their wives and their children, 
unless the plebeians delivered their magistrates, 
chained, into the hands of Coiiolanus. They 
declared that he was a second tyrant rising up 
in the Kepublic, and aiming at their death or 
slavery. 

The plebeians had now, however, acquired 
so much power that they no longer entertained 
the idea of deserting, as upon a former occa- 
sion, but rather of making a trial of their 
strength with the patricians in the very centre 
of Eome itself. Nothing now but the destruc- 
tion of their enemies could be thought of; but, 
that the forms of justice might be observed, 
they summoned Coriolanus to come and an- 
swer for his conduct before an assembly of the 
people. But this proud senator sending back 
their officer with contempt, they waited for 
him at the door of the Senate, in order to seize 
him when he should come out. As he made 
his appearance, therefore, the aediles were or- 



Tribunes of the People. 99 

Their Treatment of Coriolanus. 

dered to lead him to prison ; but the command 
was not an easy one to execute, for Coriolanus 
and his friends stood uj)on their defence, and, 
using well their fists, forced the sediles to make 
a quick retreat. A general disturbance im- 
mediately ensued, in which the plebeians on 
one side, and the patricians on the other, com- 
menced abusing and reproaching one another 
in the bitterest terms. In the midst of it the 
consuls arrived, and by means of entreaties, as 
well as by their authority, succeeded in dis- 
persing the multitude and sending them to 
their homes. 

But the plebeians, conscious of their power, 
had determined not so easily to abandon their 
game. On the following day, therefore, they 
assembled in crowds at the Forum to talk over 
their grievances, and to contrive -plsLBs for rem- 
edying them. The patricians also assembled 
with them, and the conduct of -Coriolanus be- 
ing the exciting theme, much was said by 
both parties for and against him. Coriolanus 
himself was there ; and being called upon to 
say, as had been stated by his friends, that he 
was willing to ask pardon if he had done 
wrong, he inveighed more violently than ever 
against the enterprises of the Tribunes, and de- 
clared boldly, that the people had no right to 



100 Eepublic of Bome. 

Coriolanus cited before the People. 

judge a' senator ; that the consuls and the Sen- 
ate alone had a right to call him to account for 
his behavior. 

A serious attempt would have been made to 
destroy him at once, had not the cunning Bru- 
tus perceived that the people were not, at the 
moment, in a mood to lay hands upon him and 
to drag him from the midst of his nunaerous 
compeers. This individual then holding a brief 
consultation with the Tribune Sicinius, the lat- 
ter cried out : " You see, O Eomans, that it is 
not the fault of the patricians that much blood 
is not shed to-day, and that they are ready to 
come to the greatest extremity to rescue the de- 
clared enemies of the Roman people out of the 
hands of justice. But it is our duty to set them 
better examples : we will do nothing rashly. 
Though the criminal is sufficiently convicted 
by his own confession, we are yet willing to 
give him time to prepare his defence. We cite 
thee," added he, addressing himself to Coriola* 
nus, " to appear before the people in seven and 
twenty days. As to the distribution of the 
corn, if the Senate does not take due care of 
that matter, the Tribunes will give directions 
about it themselves." 

- It was very hard for the Senate to /yield to 
such an extraordinary measure ; but agreeably 



Tribunes of the People. 101 

Eflforts to save Coriolanns from the People. 

to the Valerian law^ every man having the 
right to appeal to the people from the decrees 
of the Senate and the judgments of the consuls, 
it seemed useless for them to refuse the de- 
mand. Besides, it was not a single plebeian 
that complained, but the whole body of the 
Roman people, who were demanding the con- 
demnation of a tyrant who had been charged 
^vith attempting to destroy his fellow-citizens 
by famine, and with having proposed the abo- 
lition of the tribuneship, a magistracy made 
sacred by the most solemn oaths. 

Appius Claudius and other patricians did all 
in their power to save Coriolanus from the peo- 
ple ; but the consul M. Valerius, believing that 
the Senate, by letting go some little of its au- 
thority, would secure the duration of it, and 
that nothing would be more likely to disarm 
the people's rage against the illustrious crim- 
inal than by allowing them to judge him, turn- 
ed to Coriolanus, and besought him in the most 
tender manner to give peace to the Republic. 
" Go, Coriolanus," said he ; " offer yourself 
generously to the judgment of the people : this 
is the only honorable way of justifying your- 
self; this is the surest means to silence those 
who accuse you of aiming at tyranny. The 
people, moved with beholding so great a soul 



102 Eepublic of Kome. 

The advice of Valerius to Coriolanus. 

bowing under the power of their Ti'ibunes, can 
never bring themselves to pronounce sentence 
of condemnation npon Coriolanns. If, on the 
other hand, yon show contempt for the tribu- 
nals of the people, you will become the fatal 
torch ; and who can tell how far the flame may 
run. Set Rome, therefore, before your eyes, 
and give it an exhibition of your love." 

The minds of many of the senators being 
thus disposed to peace by the speech of Vale- 
rius, they united with him, beseeching Coriola- 
nus to yield himself to a trial by the people. 
"You know, Conscript Fathers," replied Co- 
riolanus, addressing the senators, "what the 
whole course of my life has hitherto been. 
You know that this obstinate hatred of the peo- 
ple, and that unjust persecution which I now 
suffer from it, are occasi'oned only by the in- 
violable zeal which I have always shown for 
the interests of this body. I will not insist 
upon the returns I now meet with ; the event 
will show the weakness and perhaps the malice 
of the counsels which are given you in this af- 
fair. But since Yalerius's opinion has at length 
prevailed, let me know, at least, what is the 
crime that I am charged with, and upon what 
conditions I am delivered over to the fury of 
my adversaries." 



Tribunes of the People. 103 

Coriolanus consents to be tried. 

After some consultation, the Tribunes agreed 
that they would confine their whole accusation 
to the single crime of tyranny. " If it be so," 
replied Coriolanus, "and I have nothing to 
disprove but a calumny so ill-grounded, I free- 
ly yield myself to the judgment of the people." 

Thus, with the consent of all parties, the de- 
cree was signed, allowing Coriolanus seven and 
twenty days to prepare his defence. And 
when the day arrived, an immense multitude 
crowded the Forum at an early hour. The 
friends of Coriolanus labored faithfully in his 
behalf; while, on the other hand, the Tribunes 
and all his enemies did every thing in their 
power to accomplish his destruction. Coriola- 
nus himself answered the suspicions which had 
been cast upon liim, by a simple narration of 
his services. He gave an account of all the 
engagements in w^hich he had taken part, 
sliowed the wounds which he had received, the 
military honors which his generals had bestow- 
ed upon him, and named the several posts in 
the army through which he had successively 
passed. He then called upon the multitude 
present, even citing many of them by name, 
and demanded if they could not testify to tli© 
truth of what he said. 

A great deal of feeling was manifested by his 



104: Republic of Rome. 

Ilis Defence and Condemnation. 

old comrades in arms, and many among the 
plebeians shouted pnt in his behalf. But the 
Tribune Decius rising up, made a most power- 
ful speech against him, in which he endeavored 
to show that Coriolanus had, upon a certain 
occasion, defrauded the soldiers of their booty, 
and had distributed it among his friends. He 
called upon many to testify to the fact, and, 
succeeding in turning the current of jDopular 
feeling against Coriolanus, called for the judg- 
ment of the people, which was promptly given, 
and Coriolanus was condemned to perpetual 
banishment. 

The greatest consternation prevailed imme- 
diately among the patricians. This feeling was 
succeeded by rage and indignation ^ and Yale- 
rius was bitterly reproached for having misled 
them by his artful discourses. Coriolanus, how- 
ever, with an appearance of the utmost uncon- 
cern, left the assembly, went to his house, 
where he found his w^ife and mother bathed in 
tears. Exhorting them to bear with patience 
this reverse of fortune, he bade them farewell, 
and refusing to take with him a single attend- 
ant, walked out of the gates of Rome, without 
speaking one word to the many friends who 
followed in his footsteps. 

The people, of com-se, testified great joy on 



Tribunes of the People. 105 

He offers his Services to the Volsci. 

account of this decided triumph over the Sen- 
ate. Hitherto dependent upon the patricians, 
they were now become their judges, and had 
obtained a right to decide the fate of the great- 
est in the commonweahh. A terrible triumph 
for them it was, as we shall presently behold. 

After leaving Eome, Coriolanus wandered 
about, indifferent as to the spot w^hich should 
offer him an asylum, provided only that he 
could lind the means and opportunities of 
avenging his wa-ongs. Looking around for the 
most powerful enemy of Rome, he finally de- 
termined to offer his services to the Yol>ci, 
and, if possible, to stir them up to war. This 
nation, bordering upon Eome, had always op- 
posed it with remarkable courage, but never 
with nmch success. The Romans had taken 
from them, at different times, a great deal of 
their territory, and they had been compelled, 
not long before, to sue for a truce of two years, 
in order to rej^air their broken strength. Co- 
riolanus himself had, more than once, cut to 
pieces their troops and ravaged their country ; 
and his name was a terror throughout all their 
borders. And their very ruler, Tullus Attius, 
having been beaten by him in several engage- 
ments, it seemed the height of madness for him 
to venture in their midst. But Coriolanus 



106 Republic of Rome. 

His appearance at the house of Tulhis Attius. 

thirsted for revenge, and determined to obtain 
it in the speediest and most certain manner, or 
die in the attempt. 

Disguising himself, then, he one evening en- 
tered Antinm, the chief city of the Yolsci, and 
proceeded immediately to the house of Tullus. 
Entering it without speaking a single word, he 
took a seat by the domestic hearth — a place 
sacred in all the houses of ancient paganism. 
The servants, astonished at such extraordinary 
conduct, and struck by his majestic air, ran to 
tell their master. Tullus immediately appeared, 
and demanded of him who he was, and what 
he required. 

"If thou dost not know me," he replied, "I 
am Caius Marcius ; my surname is Coriolanus, 
the only reward left me of all my services. I 
am banished from Rome by the hatred of the 
people, and the pusillanimity of the great : I 
seek revenge : it lies in thy power to employ 
my sword against my foes and thy country's. 
If thy republic will not accept of my services, 
I give my life into thy hands ; put an end to 
an old enemy, that may else come to do more 
mischief to thy country." 

Tullus was, of course, in great amazement, but 
in a moment comprehending all, he stretched to 
him his hand, and said : " Fear nothing. Mar- 



Tkibuxes of the People. 107 

The Volsci seek a pretext for "War with Eome. 

cius, thy confidence is the pledge of thy se- 
curity. By bringing us thyself, thou givest us 
more than ever tliou didst take from us. And 
accordingly we shall have care to acknowledge 
thy services better than thy fellow-citizens. So 
great a captain may justly expect the greatest 
honors from the Yolsci." 

Tliey at once entered into a long conversa- 
tion, which terminated in forming the follow- 
ing plan for renewing the war with the Ro- 
mans, w^hich had been suspended by the truce. 
It was detel-mined, under pretence of a desire 
to convert the truce into a solid }>eace between 
the two nations, that ambassadoi-s should be 
sent to Rome to demand only this one condi- 
tion, namely, a restitution of the lands which 
had been taken from them at different times ; 
a thing which they knew that the Romans 
would never consent to do. 

This plan having been approved by the Yol- 
ecian Senate, ambassadoi^s were selected and 
dispatched to Rome, and in the mean time, the 
most active preparations were made for war. 
As a matter of course the Senate of Rome re- 
fused to restore the territory which they had 
taken by conquest from the Yolsci, and their 
reply to the ambassadors was, that if the Yolsci 
took arms first, the Romans would lay them 



108 Kepublic of Rome. 

Coriolanus marches against Koine. 

down last. A declaration of war followed at 
once, and Tullus, remaining at home with a 
large body of troops, sent Coriolanus at the 
head of the army into the Roman territory. 
So rapid and unexpected were all his proceed- 
ings, that the cities against which he marched 
had neither time nor courage to defend them- 
selves. The towns of Sarricum, Longulum, Po- 
lusca, and Corioli, were taken from the Ro- 
mans in quick succession ; so also were Corbio, 
Vitellium, Trebia, Labicum, and Pedum. The 
citizens of Bola, more obstinate than the others, 
w^ere put to the sword, and the whole country 
was plundered and devastated. The houses 
and estates of the patricians, by order of Co- 
riolanus, were, however, spared, a circumstance 
which greatly inflamed the plebeians. 

Such continual success inspired the soldiers 
of Coriolanus, who, finding no army in the 
field to oppose his designs, advanced upon La- 
vinium, took it, and, coming within five miles 
of Rome, encamped his army. 

The consternation at Rome was great indeed. 
"No one had the courage to fight, and no one 
was found capable of leading. The people ran 
up and down on all sides, begging that means 
should be taken to bring about a peace, and 
they even expressed a wish to annul the sen- 



Tkibunes of the People. 10& 



Terror of the Roman People. 



tence passed upon Coriolanus, and to recall him 
from his exile. The Senate, however, refused to 
do this, saying, that Eorae would never grant 
any thing to a rebel so long as he remained in 
arms. 

This decision coming to the ears of Coriola- 
nus, he immediately broke up his camp, and 
marching to the city, prepared to besiege it. 
At sight of such a daring j)roceeding, the pa- 
tricians and the people became still more 
alarmed. Resolution entirely failed them, and 
they joined together in sending a deputation to 
Coriolanus, consisting of five men of consular 
dignity. But the haughty general would con- 
sent to give peace only on condition that Eome 
should restore to the Volsci the territory which 
it had taken from them. At the earnest re- 
quest of the deputies, he granted the city a 
truce of thirty days, at the end of which time 
he appeared again at the gates of Rome. 

Other deputies were now sent to him, who 
besought him not to exact any thing which 
might not be agreeable to the dignity of Rome ; 
but he pei-sisted obstinately in his demand, and 
threatened the destruction of the city if they 
did not comply within three days. 

Terror now took possession of the Romans, 
and they appeared willing to do any thing to 



110 Eepublic of Eome. 

Ambassadors sent to Coriolanos. 

avert the evil which awaited them. The priests, 
the augTirs, and the guardians of the sacred 
things, dressed in their ceremonial robes, 
marched in procession to the camp, and begged 
Coriolanus by the respect that he owed to the 
gods, and bj all that was sacred in religion, to 
grant to his country peace. He made to them, 
however, the same stern reply, adding that, 
notwithstanding their belief that the gods de- 
creed the empire of the world ,1?^ Eome, present 
appearances were much agai||pt it, and that he 
was sure of carrying the towjl^^ 

The disappointed priests i^turned, and ma- 
king known the result of their mission, the men 
women and children, bathed' in tears, flocked 
to the temples to implore the gods to save their 
country. Moved by a sort of divine inspira- 
tion, a lady named Yaleria, accompanied by a 
great number of women, went to the house of 
Yeturia, the mother of Coriolanus, where they 
fomid her, as well as his wife, bitterly deplor- 
ing the misfortunes of Eome. 

"We are Eoman ladies," said Valeria, as 
soon as she came into the presence of the mo- 
ther of Coriolanus ; " we are Eoman ladies who 
have come to beseech you to aid in securing 
the safety of our common country. Go along 
with us to the camp of Coriolanus, and beg of 



Tribunes of the People. Ill 

The mother of Coriolanus. * 

him peace for his fellow-citizens. All our hope 
is in the tender love which he may have for so 
good a mother and so virtuous a wife. Implore, 
conjure, demand him. He cannot withstand 
your tears ; and we with our children will fol- 
low you, and cast ourselves at his feet." 

The mother of Coriolanus was quite as anx- 
ious for the honor and safety of Rome as any 
of the ladies who surrounded her ; but knowing 
perfectly the character of her son, she felt that 
it would be useless for her to interpose. 

" What success can you expect from our en- 
treaties to a man so implacable?" said she. 
"Can two women bend that stubborn heart, 
which the ministers of religion themselves 
could not soften? And indeed what shall I 
say to him ? AVhat can I reasonably desire of 
him ? Shall I ask him to pardon those who 
have treated him like a man blackened with 
the foulest crimes ? Shall I ask him to betray 
a nation that has opened to him an asylum, 
and preferred him to its most illustrious citi- 
zens in the command of its armies ? Can a 
Koman mother and a Roman wife with de- 
cency exact from a son and a husband things 
which must dishonor him before both gods and 
men ? Give us up therefore to our unhappy 
destiny j leave us buried in our just afflictions." 



112 Bepublic of Eome. 

She goes to the Camp of her Son. 

But the mother and wife of Coriolaims being 
finally overcome by their entreaties, consented 
to accompany them to the camp, and the ap- 
proval of the Senate being obtained, they set 
out upon their mission in chariots provided for 
the 23urj)ose. 

The news of their approach was carried to 
Coriolanus, who, conceiving it to be the last 
expedient of the Senate, determined to receive 
them with respect, but to grant none of their 
requests. Severe and resolute, how^ever, as he 
was, he could not behold his mother and wife 
at the head of this troop of Roman ladies with- 
out running to embrace them ; but the moment 
they began to entreat him to remove his troops 
from Rome, all his natural sternness returned, 
and he declared that he could grant the Ro- 
mans peace only on the conditions already 
named. 

" And can you, my son," said the mother, 
raising her voice, " can you refuse a proposal 
so equitable, unless you prefer a cruel and ob- 
stinate revenge to your mother's tears and en- 
treaties ? Consider that your reply is to decide 
the fate of my glory, nay, and of my life too !" 

Coriolanus made no answer, but on his face 
any one might see a stern refusal of his mother's 
prayer. 



Tkibunes of the People. 113 

Her Appeal in behalf of Rome. 

"Dost thou believe," she continued, "that, 
covered with the shame of a contemptuous de- 
nial, I can patiently wait till thy arms have 
pronounced our doom? A Koman woman 
knows how to die, when her honor calls her so 
to do; and if I cannot move thee, I am re- 
solved to give death to myself, here in thy 
presence. Thou shalt not march to Eome 
without treading over the body of her to whom 
thou owest thy being ; and if a sight of so much 
horror has not the power to stop thy fury, re- 
member, at least, that by means of thy endeav- 
oring to bring Rome into chains, thy wife and 
children cannot avoid a speedy death, or a te- 
dious servitude !" 

By this time the appearance of Coriolanus 
bea'an to chano-e. His hatred and desire of 
revenge seemed to be yielding to the moving 
spectacle before him, but still he would not say 
a w^ord. 

" Why dost thou not answer me, my son ?" 
cried again his mother. " Wilt thou not know 
thy mother ? Hast thou forgotten the care I 
took of thy infancy ? Canst thou, who makest 
war only to revenge thyself of the ingratitude 
of thy fellow-citizens, deny me the first favor I 
ever asked thee, without blackening thyself 
with the very same crime ? If I required thee 

8 



114 Republic of Rome. 

The Effect of her Prayers and Tears. 

to betray the Yolsci, who have given thee so 
generous a reception, thou wouldst have just 
canse to reject such a proposal. But I only 
desire thee to withdraw thy troops from Rome ; 
allow us a truce for a year, that in this inter- 
val measures may be taken to procure a solid 
peace. Grant this, my son, I conjure thee by 
Jupiter, all-good and all-powerful, who presides 
at the capitol, by the manes of thy father and 
of thy ancestors ! If my prayers and tears are 
not able to move thee, behold thy mother at 
thy feet, imploring of thee the preservation of 
her country !" And bursting into tears, she 
embraced his knees. His wife and children, 
and all the Roman ladies, falling down before 
him, begged him to have mercy upon their 
beloved city. 

" What is it that you do, my mother?" cried 
Coriolanus, stooping down to raise her from the 
ground. " Rome is saved, but your son is lost ! 
Farewell, farewell forever !" and then embra- 
cing her, and his wife and children, he moved 
slowly towards his tent. 

On the following day he called a council of 
war, and, no one presuming to contradict his 
opinion, it was decided that the army should 
return home to Antium. Without delay the 
march began ; but they had no sooner entered 



Tribunes of the People. 115 



Death of Coriolanus. 



the gates of the city than the cry was raised 
that Coriolanus had turned a traitor to the in- 
terests of the Yolsci. He demanded a trial by 
a general council of the nation ; but Tullus, the 
governor, jealous of his exploits, and fearing his 
eloquence as much as his valor, raised a tumult, 
and, by means of agents previously instructed, 
caused him to be stabbed. 

Thus fell this remarkable man, though it was 
evidently without the approbation of the Yolsci, 
for they assembled in great multitudes from the 
neighboring cities to do him honor at his bur- 
ial, and upon his tomb they placed garlands 
and spoils of war. 

At Rome the report of his death was received 
with neither favor nor resentment. The women 
all went into mourning for him for the space of 
ten months, the longest period for wearing ha- 
biliments of grief. 



THE DECEMVIRS 



FROM 485 TO 446 B. 0. 



The Agrarian Law — Increasing power of the Tribunes — 
Efforts to pacify the People — Proposition to establish fixed 
Laws — Conduct of Quintius Ceso — Cincinnatus created Dic- 
tator — Commissioners sent to Greece — Decemvirs appointed 
— Their powers — Appius Claudius — The Ten Tables — Con- 
duct of the Decemvirs — Their Tyranny — "War with the Sa- 
bines — Defeat of the Romans — Story of Siccius Dentatus — 
Story of Virginia — The Decemvirate abolished — Death of 
Appius 




DEATH OF VIRGINIA. 



V. 

THE DECEMVIRS. 



It is not surprising that some ambitious indi- 
vidual should take advantage of the dissensions 
between the plebeians and the patricians to 
promote his own selfish ends, and, accordingly, 
we find one Sp. Cassius Yiscellimus endeavor- 
ing in this way to obtain the royalty so sol- 
emnly proscribed by the law. A patrician by 
birth, and a consul, he sought, by gaining the 
affection of the plebeians, to accomplish his 
designs. To this end he proposed, in order to 
put the poor citizens upon some equality with 
the rich, and enable them to subsist, that the 
lands taken from their enemies in war, and 
which had been given to the patricians, should 
be equally divided among the peoj^le. And 
this was the famous Agrarian law^ which 
made so much trouble during many following 
years. This law, of course, met immediate op- 
position from the patricians, and such was the 



122 Eepublic of Eome. 

The Agrarian Law — Genutina. 

expectation of Cassiiis ; but the Tribunes, jeal- 
ous tbat a patrician should undertake to rise 
through the favor of the people, succeeded in 
bringing about his death. 

The subject of dividing the public lands 
among the people was not, however, forgotten, 
and a law was obtained from the Senate pro- 
viding for the appointment of commissioners, 
who should proceed with the ]3artition of these 
lands, and set up landmarks, that might put a 
stop to all usurpations for the future. Still, few 
were found among those having influence or 
power who dared to move in the matter, and 
it remained for a long time unagitated. At 
length, however, one of the Tribunes, Cn. Ge- 
nutius, publicly cited the two consuls to nomi- 
nate the commissioners, and to proceed in the 
partition of the lands ; and so boldly was he 
sustained by the people in his demands, that 
tlie Senate finally fixed a day for the decision 
of this vexatious matter. But on the night 
preceding this day. Genu tins was found dead 
in his bed, without the least marks of poison or 
any other violence. His body was laid out in 
the Forum, and the report was circulated that 
the gods, disajDproving his enterprise, had put 
an end to his life. Thus the Agrarian law was 
again silenced for a long time. 



The Decemvirs. 123 



Increasing Power of the Tribunes. 



The contest between the plebeians and the 
patricians continued with little abatement ; and 
the death of Geniitius was rather an incentive 
to activity than a motive to despair. While 
the consuls every year incurred only the hatred 
of the people, the Tribunes, studying to gain 
their applause, aimed at sharing \vith the Sen- 
ate and patricians the wealth, the dignities, 
and the magistracies of the Republic. Tlie 
power of the Tribunes occasionally rose so high 
that the consuls fled before them; thus the 
consul Appius, opposing vehemently the Agra- 
rian law, was so furiously attacked by them, 
that he went into exile, or, as some historians 
say, put an end to his life. 

There was not however wanting, among the 
patricians, some who would occasionally, from 
benevolence or ambition, put themselves at the 
head of the common people. The desire on 
the part of the plebeians to have houses and 
homes was too reasonable and too simple to 
be resisted; and it would have been strange 
enough, had no one, either from selfishness or 
kindness, advocated their cause. During the 
consulship of Tib. Emelius and Q. Fabius, 
twenty years after the Agrarian law was first 
mooted, a strong effort was made to satisfy the 
people by furnishing them with lands. Eme- 



124: Eepublic of Rome. 

Efforts made to pacify the People. 

Ihis stoutly averred -that it was impossible to 
maintain peace and union among the citizens 
of a free State, unless the lands taken from 
their enemies were fairly divided between the 
rich and the poor. He obstinately persisted 
upon the publication of the Agrarian law, and 
was ably sustained by some of the older sena- 
tors ; but most of them complained that he was 
desirous of gaining popularity by distributing 
property which did not belong to him. Dis- 
cord was likely to follow, when Fabius, his col- 
league, pro^DOsed that the city of Antium, whose 
inhabitants had been recently destroyed by 
war, should be given to the poorer people of 
Rome. Three citizens were named to make 
the establishment of this colony ; but when the 
people were called to give their names to these 
persons, few appeared, so strong was their at- 
tachment for Rome, and so little inclination 
had they to give up its games, its spectacles, 
its public assemblies, and its business. 

At this time Rome had no fixed laws, nor 
any constant form of administering justice. 
The will of its kings had been, at first, its law, 
and the consuls and Senate succeeding to their 
power, succeeded likewise to the same right of 
dispensing justice. Not long, then, after the 
attempt to found a colony at Antium, a certain 



The Decemvirs. 125 



Proposition to establish fixed Laws. 



Tribun^Tn^^^'^ Terentillus Arsa, undertook to 
signalize his tribunate by proposing the estal)- 
lishment of laws fixed and determined, for the 
Senate to be governed by in the judgments 
they should pass between man and man. These 
laws were to be proposed by ten commission ei-s, 
half of whom should be patricians and^ half 
plebeians. The proposition was met with a 
great deal of opposition on the part of the Sen- 
ate and the patricians, and meetings Avere re- 
peatedly held, but to no purpose. At length, 
however, the Tribunes determined to bring the 
matter to an issue, and convened the people 
for the purpose of naming their commissioners. 
While the business was in progress, Quintius 
Ceso, son of Quintius Cincinnatus, a consul, 
rushed into the crowd, knocked down or dis- 
persed all that were in the way, and by means 
of the uproar which he raised,broke off the as- 
sembly, notwithstanding all that the Tribunes 
could do to keep them together. 

Ceso was much applauded by the senators 
and patricians, but his conduct was so ofiensive 
to the Tribunes that he was summoned to ap- 
pear before an assembly of the people. His 
father, Cincinnatus, as well as his friends and 
relations, did all in their power to save him ; 
but the people were so exasperated by his con- 



126 Kepublic of Eome. 

Conduct of Quintius Ceso. 

duct, as well as by the discreditable stories 
wbich were related concerniDg him, that they 
were determined to condemn Ceso to death. 
The witnesses, however, by whom they were to 
condemn him, not being present, it was deemed 
advisable to commit him to prison until such 
time as he could be tried ; but this proceeding 
having been discussed, it was agreed that ten 
citizens should be bound for his forthcoming 
on the day when he was to be tried, or pay 
such fine as should be determined upon be- 
tween the Senate and the Tribunes. Ceso did 
not, however, dare to aj^pear before the people, 
but, departing that very night from Rome, 
went to Tuscany. The fine was exacted with 
so much rigor from his bondsmen, that his il- 
lustrious father, obliged to sell his estates, re- 
tired to a few acres of land, which he cultiva- 
ted with his own hands in order to procure a 
subsistence. 

JSTot long after this a war broke out between 
the Romans on the one hand, and the Sabines 
and the Mqui on the other. The two consuls, 
at the head of their respective armies, w^ent out 
to receive the invaders. E^autius, who attacked 
the Sabines, met with great success ; but, while 
he was pursuing them with a terrible slaughter, 
his colleague Minutius v^as pushed into sucfc 



The Decemvirs. 127 



Cincinnatus created Dictator. 



straits by the ^qui, that it became necessary 
to dispatch messengers to Eome for relief. It 
was found indispensable under these circum- 
stances to create a Dictator, and L. Quintius 
Cincinnatus having been named for this high 
office, a deputation was sent to bring him from 
his little farm. Dropping the handle of his 
plough, he girded on his sword, and at the end 
of sixteen days succeeded in scattering far and 
wide the enemies of his country. The Senate, 
iii gratitude for his services, would have be- 
stowed upon him the richest of the spoils of 
war, but, refusing every thing of the kind, he 
returned at once to the occupations of his little 
farm. 

But the sympathies of Cincinnatus were with 
the patricians ; he even recommended the in- 
crease of the number of the Tribunes, urging 
that dissensions would thereby be more easily 
sown among them ; and such was undoubtedly 
true, though the Tribunes seemed more espe- 
cially eager to ruin the consuls and the nobil- 
ity. A constant union was, however, main- 
tained between the Tribunes and the plebeians, 
and for five successive years the same Tribunes 
were elected and re-elected. The proposition 
of Terentillus Arsa for a code of fixed law was 
not forgotten, but was now continually urged 



128 Kepublic of Eome. 

Commissioners sent to Greece. 

upon the Senate, who took every means to de- 
lay and defeat it. To this end, among other 
things, it was proposed that three commission- 
ers be sent to Athens, to examine such of the 
laws of Solon as were most popular among the 
Greeks, making choice of those most suitable 
for the present constitution of the Roman Re- 
public. These commissioners were appointed, 
and during their absence the city was compar- 
atively free from the dissensions which usually 
l^revailed. But they had no sooner returned 
than the Tribunes and people began to clamor 
for the appointment of the Decemvirs, who 
w^ere to be employed uj^on the great work of 
fixing a body of laws for the government of the 
commonwealth. Every effort was made by 
the consuls to defer the appointment of these 
persons ; and one of them even feigned, for 
some time, to be sick, in order that he might 
not be importuned in the matter. By the art- 
fulness, however, of the Tribunes, the appoint- 
ment of the Decemvirs was finally achieved ; 
but the design of Terentillus was not fully car- 
ried out, for five of them should have been 
chosen from among the plebeians, which was 
not done. These Decemvirs consisted of Ap- 
pius Claudius, T. Genutius, L. Sestius, Yeturi- 
us, C. Julius, A. Manlius, S. Sulpitius, P. Cu- 



The Decemvirs. 129 



Powers of the Decemvirs — Appius Claudius. 



ratius, T. Eomilius, and Sp. Posthiimius. The 
powers conferred upon them were enormous. 
All other officers were suspended from their 
functions while the Decemvirate continued ; 
and even the common liberties of the people 
seemed to be at the disposal of these new ma- 
gistrates. 

Though Appius Claudius was the first one 
chosen, he assumed no authority above his col- 
leagues, but seemed, on the contrary, to aim at 
becoming as popular as possible. The meanest 
plebeian was sure to receive from him a salu- 
tation, and all the business intrusted to him 
was transacted Mdth the utmost promptness. 

Each of these Decemvirs presided in his turn 
one whole day, when he was entitled to the 
twelve lictors, who walked before him with the 
fasces. Their manner of dispensing justice was 
so agreeable to the people, that the Tribunes 
were almost entirely forgotten; and many 
prayed that the gods w^ould continue a govern- 
ment so full of moderation. 

During the year which succeeded their ap- 
pointment, the Decemvirs labored faithfully 
upon the compilation of the laws, which they 
gathered partly from the ancient decrees of the 
kings of Rome, and partly from the laws of 
Greece. Having completed their work, they 



130 Republic of Rome. 

The Ten Tables — The Am!)ition of Appius Claudius. 

proposed it in ten tables, some of them relating 
to the concerns of religion, others to the public 
rights, and the greater part to private persons. 
These laws were submitted to the people, and 
received their unanimous approbation, though, 
in the opinion of some persons, several regula- 
tions were wanting which, if added, w^ould ren- 
der the body of the Roman law complete. 
This opinion becoming very general, it created 
a desire to make another election of Decemvirs 
for one year more ; and the Senate glad thus 
to get rid of the Tribunes, and the people glad 
to be free from the consuls, the thing was done. 
The day was fixed for the election, and 
among the senators there w^ere, of course, many 
who aspired to the dignity of the office. Ap- 
pius, however, pretended that, having labored 
in it assiduously for a whole year, he was will- 
ing that any one should now occupy his place. 
But when the day arrived, he succeeded not 
only in procuring his own election, but the 
election of six other senators least esteemed in 
the whole body, and w^hat was still more sur- 
prising, of three plebeians. Throwing off then 
the fine mask which he had worn during the 
previous year, he represented to his colleagues 
that there was nothing more easy than for 
them to retain the sovereign power during their 



The Decemvirs. 131 



Haughty Conduct of the Decemvirs. 



whole lives. To this end he marked out a 
course of conduct, and established rules, which 
they all promised with the most solemn oaths 
to observe. 

On the first day upon which these new offi- 
cers came into power, they appeared in public, 
each with twelve lictors, who drove the people 
from the streets before them, striking with ter- 
ror all whom they met. The greatest indigna- 
tion of coui-se prevailed, and the citizens com- 
plained that, instead of two consuls, they now 
had ten kings reigning over them. Nor were 
these complaints confined to the plebeians, but 
the patricians made them also, although the 
latter determined to take advantage of the res- 
ignation of the Decemvirs whenever it should 
occur. Many of them, however, left the city. 

Agreeably to the haughty manner in which 
these Decemvirs made their first aj^pearance, 
they began to reign in the most imperious and 
despotic way. Bands of wicked men, in hopes 
of rewards, were always ready to help them in 
their base designs; and even among the young 
patricians there were many who, preferring li- 
centiousness to liberty, did not blush to become 
the servants and accomplices of these terrible 
men. There was no safety in Rome for beauty 
and virtue ; and the property of honest citizens 



132 Kepublic or Eome. 

Thair Tjl-anny— Eome threatened from abroad. 

was daily plundered, while the ■unfortunate 
sufferers were unable to procure the least relief. 
If any one was bold enough to express his in- 
dignation at such a government, these tyrants 
ordered him to be beaten as a slave; some 
were even put to death, and confiscation was a 
common occurrence. 

Hope began to spring up in the breasts of 
the people as the time drew near when the 
reign of these terrible men should cease ac- 
cording to law. But the year came to a close 
without any appearance of an assembly of the 
people for an election. The tyrants, in fact, 
now boldly proclaimed that they should retain 
the government, if necessary, by force and vio- 
lence ; and, many of the citizens going into 
voluntary exile, Rome seemed destined to de- 
struction. Its foreign enemies no longer re- 
mained quiet, and even the nations owing it 
allegiance despised the orders that were sent to 
them, as if they were unwilling to submit to a 
people that had lost their own liberty. 

The ^qui and the Sabines, ever ready to 
show their enmity to Rome, raised two large 
armies and marched against it. The Decem- 
virs, seeing themselves thus compelled to de- 
fend the city, sought the aid of the Senate and 
people, and, after a great deal of difficulty, ar- 



The Decemvirs. 133 

"War with the JEqui and Sabines— Komans defeated. 

mies were raised and placed under their com- 
mand. Appius, confiding them to his col- 
leagues, sent them forth against the enemy; 
whilst he, with a body of troops, remained to 
maintain his authority against the enemy at 
home. 

It could not be supposed that men who had 
been shamefully deprived of their liberty, and 
abused in every imaginable way, would fight 
well for those who had occasioned all their suf- 
ferings ; and we accordingly find that the Ko- 
man armies engaged in this war, were in a 
short time completely routed and driven back 
into their own territory. But the news of the 
defeat was received at Eome with as much joy, 
as, at another time, would have been testified 
at a victory. Every one said that it was not 
wonderful that the armies of the Eepublic 
should be unsuccessful under the command of 
usurpers; and while some called for consuls, 
others proposed that a Dictator should be cho- 
sen. 

Siccius Dentatus, an old plebeian, who had 
fought in a hundred and twenty battles, went 
about denouncing in the severest terms the 
Decemvirs as the cause of this misfortune ; and 
into so much contempt did he throw them, that 
the soldiers would scarcely give heed to their 



134 Republic of Rome. 



Siccius Dentatus— His Defence against his Murderers. 

commands. The discontent, indeed, became 
so general, that an open revolt seemed almost 
inevitable. 

But Appins, provided for snch an event, sent 
provisions and recruits to his colleagues, and 
bid them, at the same time, to punish in the 
most rigorous manner all those who gave any 
evidence of mutiny. Resolving also to be re- 
venged upon Siccius, he pretended to have 
great respect for his experience as a soldier, 
and engaged him to go and assist the generals 
with his counsels. 

The old soldier, sincerely desiring to serve 
his countiy, and unsuspicious of the cunning 
Decemvir, set out at once for the camp, where, 
according to previous instructions from Appius, 
he was received with every appearance of joy 
and respect. But the secret agents of Appius, 
contriving to get him out of the camp into a 
lonely place, fell upon him with their swords. 
The hero of a hundred and twenty battles was 
not, however, to be slain without a struggle. 
Placing his back against a rock, in order to 
prevent an attack from behind, he defended 
himself with so much skill that several of 
them were killed, while others were terribly 
wounded. The villains, however, bent upon 
the accomplishment of their purpose, climbed 



The Decemviks. 135 



Appius suspected of causing his Death. 



up to the top of the rock, and thence beat him 
on the head with stones. Then going into the 
camp, these heartless ruffians said that they 
had fallen into an ambush, in which Siccius 
and some of their comrades had been slain. 
The story was at first believed ; but some of 
the soldiers, who regarded Siccius as a father, 
went out to seek his corpse. They found it; 
but they found also that those who were slain 
with him were all Eomans ; and what surprised 
them more was, that none of them had been 
stripped of their arms or clothes, and that the 
slain all lay with their faces towards him. Be- 
sides this, there were no footsteps indicating 
the retreat of any who might have been sup- 
posed to attack them. 

All these things made them suspect that 
Siccius had been murdered; and it was very 
natural for them to suppose that the act was 
committed at the instigation of Appius. This 
suspicion was confirmed by the fact that when 
the army demanded the punishment of the as- 
sassins, they were nowhere to be found, having 
been assisted in making their escape. These 
suspicions were reported at Eome, where the 
citizens and soldiers, the Senate and the people, 
all cried out against so infamous a deed. But 
ere Eome could be free from the yoke of Ap- 



136 Eepublic of Rome. 

Appius attracted by Virginia. 

pins, he was to fill up the measure of his tyran- 
nies by a deed still more odious and horrible 
than the murder of Siccius. 

While the armies were engaged in the war, 
it was the custom of this brutal Decemvir to 
administer justice in the Forum, where, at 
stated seasons, he sat to receive those who re- 
quired his services. From the position which 
he occupied, he could easily perceive all who 
passed to and fro, either upon their business or 
their pleasure ; and it is not difficult to admit 
that his mind was not so completely occupied 
with the interest of his fellow-citizens, as to pre- 
vent his eyes from being sometimes wickedly 
engaged. 

Seated one day in his usual place, he chanced 
to spy a beautiful girl, of about fifteen years, 
who, under the charge of an attendant, was 
passing through the Forum on her way to 
school. Struck with her appearance, he imme- 
diately inquired her name and condition, and 
ascertained that she was a plebeian ; that her 
father was one Yirginius, a centurion in the 
army then engaged in the war ; that her own 
name was Yirginia, and that she was engaged 
to be married to Icilius, lately one of the 
Tribunes. 

Such a story had little in it to encourage his 



The Decemvirs. 137 

Virginia claimed as a Slave by Claudius. 

passion ; for even if Appius Lad not been a 
married man, the laws of the Twelve Tables for- 
bade all alliances between the patricians and 
the plebeians, and he very soon discovered 
that Virginia w^as proof against any dishonest 
purpose w^hich he might cherish towards her. 
Determined, however, to get her into his pos- 
session, he had recourse to M. Claudius, one of 
the numerous scoundrels whom he kept in his 
employ. 

This man having one day followed Virginia, 
discovered the school to which she belonged ; 
and after waiting a short time at the door, 
entered, and taking the unsuspecting girl by 
the hand, attempted by force to drag her to 
his own house, under pretence that she was 
the daughter of one of his slaves. Over- 
whelmed with confusion, Virginia could de- 
fend herself only by her tears; but the wit- 
nesses of the transaction, moved by the sight, 
ran to her assistance, and put a stop to the 
proceeding of Claudius. The villain asserted 
that he meant to use no violence, but simply to 
take possession of his own property, to which 
he was certainly entitled, wherever he might 
find it; and he challenged all those who de- 
nied his right, to appear with him before the 
Decemvir Appius, where he Avould lead Vir» 



138 Republic of Rome. 

Virginia carried before Appius. 

ginia, and prove abundantly that slie was his 
slave. 

Some of the people, who knew both the girl 
and her father, and others, moved only by curi- 
osity, followed to the Forum, where Claudius 
stated his case before a judge who was himself 
the author of the villany. He said that Vir- 
ginia had been born in his own house, and that 
her mother had secretly sold her to the wife of 
Yirginius, who now made her pass for his own 
daughter. He offered also to produce undenia- 
ble testimony of the truth of his assertions, but 
claimed that until the matter could be decided, 
it was but just that she should accompany him 
as her master ; and at the same time signified 
his willingness to give good security for her 
appearance, if Yirginius, at his return, still pre- 
tended to be her real father. 

J^umitorius, her uncle, who had been in- 
formed of what had taken place, had by this 
time reached the Forum. Without much diffi- 
culty he discovered the plot that had been laid 
by the unprincipled Appius ; but, concealing 
his suspicions, he simply claimed that, as the 
uncle of the girl, he was entitled to her guar- 
dianship until the appearance of her father, 
and asked that the case might be postponed for 
two days, by which time he thought that Yir- 



The Decemvirs. 189 

Attempt of her Uncle to save her. 

giiiius might be brought from the camp. So 
jnst a demand could not fail to gain the ap- 
proval of the assembly ; but Appius declared 
that, however willing he might be to deliver 
the girl into the hands of any one claiming to 
be her father, he could not with justice give 
her up to a person asserting himself to be her 
imcle ; and that, under the circumstances, he 
was compelled to place her in the custody of 
Claudius, who should give security to produce 
her again at the return of her reputed father. 

Such an unjust decree aroused the indigna- 
tion of the whole assembly, and murmurs and 
complaints arose on every side. The women 
who were present gathered around Virginia 
with tears in their eyes, and declared that she 
should not be delivered into the hands of 
Claudius. But this cruel monster, regardless 
of their entreaties, was attempting to force her 
away, when Icilius, to whom she was promised 
in marriage, rushed into the Forum, maddened 
by the reports which had now reached his ears. 

Kegardless of all danger, he flung himself 
into the presence of the haughty Decemvir, 
and shaking his clenched hand in his very face, 
cried out — " Thou shalt tear my life from me, 
before thou shalt enjoy the fruit of thy vile ar- 
tifices and insupportable tyranny. Is it not 



140 Eepublic of Eome. 

Effective Speech of her Lover. 

enough that thou hast deprived us of the two 
strongest bulwarks of our liberty, the protection 
of our Tribunes, and the right of appeal to the 
assembly of the people ? Cannot the honor of 
the Roman maidens be safe with thee ? Know, 
tyrant, that Virginia is betrothed to me, and 
that I expect to marry a virgin, and one free 
born. If, in the absence of her father, any 
attempt is allowed to do her violence, I will 
implore the aid of the Eoman people for my 
wife; Yirginins will demand assistance of all 
his fellow-soldiers for his daughter, and both 
gods and men will be on our side. But though 
I had not a man to assist me, justice and vir- 
tuous love will give me sufficient power to pre- 
vent the execution of thy unjust sentence !" 

Such passionate language moved every one 
in his behalf, and Claudius was driven to take 
refuge at the feet of Appius. Multitudes of 
people flocked into the Forum, and the De- 
cemvir, fearing an open revolt, thought fit to 
revoke his decree and to give Virginia her 
freedom, on condition that Icilius should give 
security for her appearance on the morrow. 

Without a moment's delay, Appius dis- 
patched a secret messenger to his colleagues 
who commanded the army, begging them to 
arrest Virginius, upon some pretence or other, 



The Decemvirs. 141 



The Father of Virginia. 



or at least not to permit him to return to 
Rome. In this way, he still hoped that he 
should be able to deliver Yirginia into the 
hands of Claudius. But his messenger reached 
the camp too late ; Virginius had been prompt- 
ly apprised of his daughter's danger, and had 
obtained leave of absence from the camp before 
the arrival of the messengers of Appius. Ev- 
ery effort was, however, made to overtake him, 
and prevent him from getting back to Kome, 
but it w^as all in vain. Prompted by a father's 
love, he flew as on the wrings of the wind, and 
before the bloodhounds dispatched in pursuit 
of him had scented his track, he was locked in 
the arms of his unhappy daughter. 

With a bleeding heart he went to the Forum 
on the following day, leading Yirginia by the 
hand. A crowed of people had already assem- 
bled, to whom Icilius was loudly declaiming 
against the tyranny and baseness of the De- 
cemvir. But the youtn, the beauty, and inno- 
cence of Yirginia moved the multitude more 
than all the complaints and entreaties of her 
family ; and Appius, hearing of the strong 
feeling that had been excited against him, or- 
dered a body of troops to be sent to the Forum 
for his protection. Then repairing thither him- 
self, and taking possession of his tribunal, he 



142 Kefublio of Eome. 

Trial before Appius. 

called upon the villain Claudius to open his 
demand, and to proceed in his action. 

Claudius, of course, began by claiming Vir- 
ginia as his slave, and offered to prove his 
pretensions by a dozen witnesses. Having per- 
mission to produce these witnesses, he brought 
immediately upon the stand a female slave, 
who, for a bribe, swore that Virginia was her 
own daughter, and that she had sold her to the 
wife of Virginius, who wished to bring her up 
as her own child. 

" If the evidence of this woman is not suffi- 
cient," said Claudius, " I will adduce still fur- 
ther proof; but I hope that justice will not 
be denied to me on account of the threats of 
this Icilius, or the clamors of these i^retended 
relatives." 

But the friends of Virginia brought witnesses 
who had known her from the very moment of 
her birth, and who had seen her w^hen a babe 
upon her mother's bosom. Nothing, indeed, 
could be made more clear, than the fact that 
Claudius was a base impostor, and that Vir 
ginia was the victim of a foul conspiracy. 

Observing the effect produced by the wit- 
nesses of Virginius upon the multitude, Appius 
stopped the proceedings, and addressing the 
assembly, said : " Be it known to you, O 



The Decemvirs. 143 



Unrighteous Judgment— Indignation of Virginius. 



Romans ! that I am not ignorant of the facts 
connected with this case. It is true, that du- 
ring the whole life of this maiden, Claudius 
has not until yesterday claimed her as his 
slave ; but this does not in any wise diminish 
his right to do so now. Everybody knows 
that Claudius' father, at his death, left me 
guardian of his son. Soon afterwards, I was 
told that, as such, I ought to reclaim this 
young slave, as part of his succession ; and I 
then heard the evidence which has tliis day 
been given in your hearing. Every thing con- 
spired to hinder me in the performance of my 
duty ; but the post I now occupy will not allow 
me to refuse him the justice which I owe to 
every man, and I therefore decree that the 
plaintiff take home the girl as his slave." 

Wrought up to the highest pitch of madness 
by such an unjust sentence, Yirginius placed 
his arm around his child, and turning to the 
cruel Decemvir, he shouted : " Know, O Ap- 
pius ! I did not educate my daughter for such 
a hideous wretch as thou ! I gave her to 
Icilius, and thou shalt never call her thine. 
What ! shall it be said of Romans, that they 
are so degraded as to yield tamely their wives 
and daughters to beasts like thee ?" 

A thousand clamors now filled the air ; and 



144 Eepublic of Eome. 

Virginias slays his Daughter. 

Appius, maddened by ttie exposure of his 
crime, and fearing too for the safety of his life, 
was obliged to order his soldiers and his lictors 
to drive the people from the Forum. 

Virginius, perceiving then that it was impos- 
sible for him to save his daughter, begged of 
Claudius that he would allow him to have a 
moment's conversation with her in private. 
The request was granted, on condition that she 
should not be taken out of the Forum. 

Pierced to the heart he clasps the stricken 
maiden in his arms ; he wipes away the tears 
which bathe her face, and, drawing her closer 
and closer to his bosom, removes her slowly 
from the tribunal, as if in search of some quiet 
place where, undisturbed, he may whisper in 
her ear. Approaching one of the little shops 
that opened in the Forum, he spies a butcher's 
knife. Eeaching out his hand he takes it un- 
pei'ceived, and pressing Virginia to his heart 
with still more tenderness than ever, he ex- 
claims: "My dearest child, this is the only 
way to save thy honor and thy liberty." With 
these words he plunges the knife into her 
bosom, and then drawing it out all reeking with 
her blood, he rushes to the tribunal of the ty- 
rant, and holding up the knife to the terrified 
monster, shrieks into his ears: "It is with 



The Decemvies. 145 

Appias driven from the Forum. 

this innocent blood, O Appius, that I devote 
thy head to the infernal gods !" 

Loud slirieks now fill the Forum ; and Ap- 
pius, trembling for his life, calls upon his sol- 
diers to seize Yirginius and disarm him. But 
the brave centurion, brandishing his weapon, 
bids them all defiance ; and, opening a passage 
through the crowd, reaches the city gate, and 
flies directly to the camp. 

It was a terrible day for Appius and his bra- 
tal colleagues. Crowds of people flocked into 
the Forum from every part of Rome, and 
showed by their actions the fullest determina- 
tion to avenge the death of Virginia. The des- 
perate Appius called upon his guards to seize 
their leaders; but the people, now perfectly 
furious, drove them from the Forum, broke the 
fasces of the lictors, and chasing the tyrant 
himself from his tribunal, compelled him to 
take refuge in a neighboring house. 

Vii'ginius having reached the camp, with 
the bloody knife still in his hand, told the 
dreadfid story to the soldiers. Raised to the 
highest pitch of madness, his comrades took up 
their arms, and, in spite of the threats of their 
generals, marched that very day to Rome. 
Their arrival in the city changed the tumult to 
an open rebellion, and, the Senate being con- 

10 



146 Eepublic of Rome. 



The Decemvirate abolished— Death of Appius. 



veiled, all the Decemvirs promised to abdicate 
their offices, if they might only be saved from 
the hatred of the people. An interrex was 
promptly chosen, and L. Valerius and M. Ho- 
ratius were afterwards named as consuls. 

In the course of a few days the excitement 
somewhat subsided. The people elected their 
Tribunes ; the Lex Valeria was confirmed anew, 
and thus the innocent blood of the unfortunate 
Yirginia, like that of Lucretia, procured the 
Roman people their liberty a second time. 
Appius was arraigned before the people to an- 
swer for his crimes ; but being placed in prison 
to await his trial, he avoided punishment by 
taking his own life. His infamous accomplice, 
Marcus Claudius, was condemned to death. 
Through the intercession, however, of his pow- 
erful friends, Yirginius consented that this sen- 
tence, though not too severe, should be changed 
to banishment. 



THE DESTRUCTION OF ROME 
BY THE GAULS. 

FROM 446 TO 380 B. 0. 



The Siege of Veil — Camillus made Dictator — Taking of 
Yeii — Triumph of Camillus — Accusations brought against 
him — His Exile — Difficulties with the Gauls — Brennus 
marches against Rome — Rome abandoned to its Enemies — 
The City destro5'ed — Camillus undertakes to punish the 
Gauls — Bravery of Cominius — Attempt to take the Capitol 
— Singular Alarm — Fate of the Invaders — Inmates of the 
Capitol make oifers to Brennus — The Gauls di'iven from 
Rome — Desolate Appearance of the City — Proposals to for- 
sake it discussed — Determination to rebuild it — Jealousy of 
M. Manlius — His Imprisonment and Death. 



VI. 

THE DESTRUGTM OF ROME BY THE GAULS. 



After the extinction of the Decemvirate, 
and the death or expulsion of the Decemvirs, 
Kome, for a season, enjoyed comparative tran- 
quillity. But it was not long before the old 
quarrels between the nobility and the people 
recommenced with almost as much violence as 
ever. " One would think," said the illustrious 
Quintius, " that Kome holds within her walls 
two different nations contending with each 
other for the command." Encouraged by their 
numerous triumphs, the people at length began 
to aspire to offices hitherto held only by the 
patricians, and demanded also a repeal of the 
law that prohibited intermarriages between 
them. 

Taking advantage of these continual strifes, 
the neighboring nations, ever jealous of this 
powerful city, made incursions upon their ter- 



150 Eepublic of Eome. 

The Siege of Veii. 

ritory, ajid threatened them with evils still 
greater than they were suiFering by their civil 
contentions. Among the boldest of their ene- 
mies were the JEqui and the Yolsci, whose 
armies came to the very gates of Rome. But 
they were driven away as often as they made 
themselves subjects of alarm. 

The most insolent and provoking treatment 
which they received, came, however, from the 
V^eientes, w^ho drove away with contempt the 
ambassadore sent to them to demand repara- 
tion. These people, occupying the city of Yeii, ' 
one of the strongest and wealthiest in Italy, 
were enemies that the Romans might take 
great pride in subduing ; and the flagrant of- 
fence recently committed by them, was suffi- 
cient to justify the severest proceedings on the 
part of Rome. 

The siege of Yeii was accordingly resolved 
upon, and a large army was collected and sent 
against it. But the place being almost im- 
pregnable, it was a long time before the Ro- 
mans gained any perceptible advantage. In- 
deed they suffered so much from the sallies 
made from the city, that they were sometimes 
on the point of giving it up entirely. It was, 
however, determined that the military tribunes 
in command of the Roman forces should be re- 



Destruction of Kome. 151 

Camillus made Dictator — Taking of Veii. 

called, and that the conduct of the siege should 
be committed to M. Furius Camillus, a general 
of great valor and extraordinary capacity. 

That he might have every possible advan- 
tage, Camillus was raised to the dignity of Dic- 
tator, and the army was greatly and rapidly in- 
creased by men of every rank, whom, by the 
lustre of his name, he drew around him. March- 
ing to Yeii he went vigorously to work, with 
the hope that he might be able to carry the 
town by assault or open force ; but finding that 
he should not succeed in this way, he had re- 
course to mining and sapping. By dint of a 
great deal of labor, his soldiei's dug a subterra- 
neous passage, under the walls, to the very cen- 
tre of the place ; and then emerging from the 
ground, spread themselves throughout the town. 
The Yeientes, wholly unsuspicious of such an 
attack, and having all their forces near the 
walls, found themselves suddenly overwhelmed 
by the enemy. It was in vain for them to 
resist; and the Roman soldiers, cutting down 
all whom they found in arms, plundered the 
city. 

The news of this achievement was received 
at Rome with demonstrations of the greatest 
joy. Tlie temples were crowded with grateful 
worshippei-s, and four days were set apart for a 



152 Eepublic of Eome. 

Triumph of Camillus— Proposition concerning Veii. 

public thanksgiving to the gods. Camillus, 
himself, returning with his victorious army, en- 
tered the city in a stately chariot, drawn by 
four milk-white horses. Such parade was not 
wholly agreeable to the people, who had not 
seen so much pomp since the expulsion of their 
kings. 

A proposition was immediately made by T. 
Sicinius Dentatus, Tribune of the people, to 
make a second Rome of the city of Yeii, by 
sending one-half of the Senate, knights, and 
people to dwell there. But this proposition 
met with general opposition from the patricians, 
with Camillus at their head; and when sub- 
mitted to the decision of the people was prompt- 
ly rejected. 

The kindly feeling of the people towards Ca- 
millus was not destined to be of long duration. 
It seems that this great general, when engaged 
in the siege of Yeii, had vowed that if success 
attended his arms, he would consecrate the 
tenth part of the booty to Apollo. But in the 
confusion of victory he forgot his vow ; and his 
conscience being troubled upon the recollection 
of it, he sought, through the aid of the Senate, 
to compel the soldiers to return a tenth part of 
their booty, in order that he might fulfil his 
vow. The soldiers, unwilling to give up their 



Destruction of Eome. 153 

Camillas accused — His exile. 

spoils, raised a clamor, aud declared that he 
was leagued with the patricians to keep the 
people always in indigence. He was even ac- 
cused of having embezzled, out of the pillage 
of Yeii, certain brass gates that were seen in 
his house, and was summoned to answer to the 
charge before an assembly of the people. 

Mortified by such an accusation, he appealed 
to his friends for protection ; but being told by 
them that they could do nothing more than 
pay the fine that might be imposed upon him, 
he declared that he would rather banish him- 
self from Eome than answer to such an infa- 
mous charge. Going, accordingly, to his house, 
he embraced his wife and children, and, at- 
tended by only two or three friends, went to 
the gate of the city, where, turning towards the 
capitol, he prayed the gods that his ungrateful 
countrymen might quickly repent the outra- 
geous manner in which they had repaid his 
services ; and that their calamities might com- 
pel them to recall him. And shortly after this, 
a misfortune came upon Rome, greater than 
any which it had hitherto suffered. 

About tAvo hundred years previous to this 
event, the Gauls, one of the most numerous na- 
tions of Europe, had migrated in large bodies 
to Italy, Vi^here they established a number of 



154 Eepublic of Rome. 

Brennus marches against Kome. 

very powerful settlements. Milan, Yerona, 
and Padua, cities which subsist at the present 
day, are said to have been founded by them ; 
and at the very time when Camillus was en- 
gaged in besieging Yeii, these barbarians, as 
they were called, were endeavoring to strength- 
en themselves by the acquisition of Tuscany. 
The city of Clusium, on the very verge of fall- 
ing into their hands, sought aid from the Ro- 
mans, who, accordingly, sent three ambassa- 
dors to Brennus, leader of the Gauls, with in- 
structions to effect a reconciliation between him 
and the people of Clusium. 

These ambassadors, thinking themselves un- 
civilly treated by Brennus, went to the city of 
Clusium, under pretence of conferring with its 
magistrates, and stirred them up to a vigorous 
resistance. A report of their proceedings com- 
ing to the ears of Brennus, he sent a herald to 
Rome, who demanded that these ambassadors 
should be delivered up to him. But the affair 
being referred to the people, it was resolved 
that the ambassadors should be sustained in 
what they had done, and an army was imme- 
diately raised to resist the Gauls, if they at- 
tempted to attack the city. 

Brennus became so enraged on account of 
these proceedings, that, removing his troops 



Destruction of Rome. 155 

Battle between the Romans and Gauls. 

from Clusium, lie marclied directly to Rome. 
The inhabitants of the country fled before him ; 
and the towns and villages in his path were 
completely deserted. But Rome was the ob- 
ject of his wrath, and he was determined on 
nothing less than its total destruction. More or 
less anxiety prevailed, naturally, in the city, at 
the report of his approach; but with forty 
thousand troops it was hoped that the invader 
might be put to flight. 

The Roman armies, accordingly, went out to 
meet the barbarians. They w^ent out boldly, 
too, headed by their six military tribunes, 
young men of far greater valor than capacity. 
Near the river Allia, a half-day's journey from 
Rome, the hostile armies met. They were, at 
once, drawn out in battle array. To guard 
themselves against being surrounded, the Ro- 
mans extended their wdngs, placing their vet- 
eran troops upon the right and left, and leav- 
ing their centre in a very weak condition. The 
Gauls discovering this, directed their main 
strength against this feebly defended point, 
and, breaking through the cohorts that occu- 
pied it, made a complete division of the ene- 
my's army. Confounded by such a movement, 
the Romans, without even drawing their swords, 
fled in every direction. Some rushed with all 



156 Eepublic of Kome. 

Eome abandoned to its Enemies. 

Speed into the neighboring city of Yeii ; others, 
in hope of escape, plunged into the liver Tiber ; 
and a few, too swift-footed for their pursuers, 
contrived to make their way to Rome, where, 
of course, they carried terror and consternation. 
The Senate supposing that the whole army had 
been cut to pieces, and expecting that the Gauls 
would immediately efl'ect an entrance into the 
city, retreated to the capitol, where they col- 
lected, for its defence, all the strength remain- 
ing in the city. Here, too, they brought what- 
ever provisions they could gather; but the 
women, children, and all such as were incapa- 
ble of rendering efficient aid, were excluded 
and compelled to shelter themselves from the 
enemy as well as they could. Some took ref- 
uge in the neighboring fields, and others fled 
to the adjacent towns. There were, however, 
among the old senators and priests, a good 
many who disdained to take advantage of a 
shelter which was denied to the weak and help- 
less, and who were, moreover, determined to 
sacrifice their lives rather than abandon a city 
where they had spent all their years. These 
venerable men, dressing themselves in their 
priestly and consular robes, and assuming their 
various emblems of office, seated themselves in 
the open doors of their respective dwellings, re- 



Destruction of Rome. 157 

The Gauls enter the City. 

solved to submit to whatever treatment the en- 
emy might give them. 

Two or three days, however, elapsed before 
the Gauls had sufficiently recovered from the 
rejoicings attending their victory to enable 
them to proceed to Rome. And when they 
came, the gates were wide open to receive 
them, and not an object stirring in the streets. 
Such an unexpected sight very naturally filled 
them w^ith suspicion ; and passing within the 
walls, they looked cautiously to the right and 
to the left, fearing that some plan had been de- 
vised by which to bring about their destruction. 
Advancing along the once busy streets they 
gained more confidence ; but what was the as- 
tonishment of these barbarians as they observed 
here and there a solitary, gray-bearded man, 
dressed in costly robes, and seated at the door 
of his dwelling in a magnificent chair of ivory. 
The soldiers stopped and gazed in awe upon 
these venerable figures, who neither spoke nor 
moved, but, with eyes bent upon the ground, 
seemed unconscious of the passing crowd. Some 
approached them to admire their splendid robes 
and flowing beards, but, apparently, no one 
dared to touch them. At last one soldier, 
more curious and more impudent than the oth- 
ers, plucked the beard of one of these venera- 



158 Republic of Rome. 

The Destruction of Rome. 

ble men. Raising his ivory wand, he gave the 
soldier a blow which sent him reeling to a dis- 
tance. Enraged to the highest pitch, the sol- 
dier retm'ned, and with one blow of his axe 
felled the aged Roman to the ground. 

As the army advanced through the streets, 
the old priests and senators, seated in their 
chairs, were now slain, one by one ; and of all 
the inhabitants of Rome none were left alive 
within its walls, except those who were deter- 
mined to defend the capitol. Thither Brennus 
hastened with his victorious troops. But in 
vain did he call upon its tenants to surrender, 
l^ature had provided them with ramparts which 
bade defiance to his utmost efforts, and, in order 
to conquer, he was forced to starve his victims 
in their stronghold. He could, however, re- 
venge himself for their obstinacy, and accord- 
ingly turned his soldiers loose to pillage and 
destroy every thing around them. The fire- 
brand was applied to the palaces of the patri- 
cians and the humbler dwellings of the ple- 
beians. The sacred temples and the public 
edifices were razed to the ground ; and in a 
short time the great city of Rome, famous 
throughout all Italy, and lately the terror of 
surrounding nations, was nothing but a mass 
of unsightly rubbish. Encamped amid its bro- 



Destruction of Eome. 159 

Effect of Rome's calamities upon Camillus. 

ken columns and smouldering ruins was Bren- 
nus, with his army, anxiously waiting until 
famine should terminate his work, by forcing 
the inmates of the capitol to throw themselves 
into his power. 

But the soldiers of Brennus could not all sit 
idly around the capitol. By leave of their 
commander, they wandered in parties, here and 
tliere, about the country, preserving neither or- 
der nor discipline in any of their proceedings, 
for, being the masters of Eome, they fancied 
that the whole region was under their sub- 
jection. 

Camillus, an exile in Ardea, not far distant, 
was a silent spectator of what was going on. 
It is true that he esteemed himself a great suf- 
ferer at the hands of his fellow-citizens, but the 
calamities of his country affected him more 
than any evils that he had himself endured ; 
and striving nobly to forget his own wrongs, 
he undertook to redress those of his enemies. 

For a warrior of his renown, it was no diffi- 
cult task to find enough ready to follow where 
he should lead ; and, with the consent of the 
magistrates of Ardea, he sallied forth one 
night, with a band of well-armed youth, and 
surprised a large body of Gauls, who had been 
recklessly indulging in wine. The slaughter 



160 Eepublic of Rome. 

Camillus undertakes to punish the Gauls. 

was terrible indeed, and the appearance of 
those who escaped only served to inspire the 
fugitive Romans, lurking here and there, with 
hope. They started from their hiding-places, 
and ran together from every quarter, to inquire 
who it was that had risen uj) to deliver Rome 
from her invaders. And when they learned 
that it was Camillus, their great general, whom 
they had compelled to go into exile, they be- 
gan to condemn themselves, and eagerly run- 
ning to him, proclaimed their penitence, and 
begged him to lead them on against the Gauls. 
Camillus told them that he would willingly 
serve his country, but that he was an exile, and 
incapacitated from holding the command of 
his country's armies. But crowding more nu- 
merously every moment around him, they 
would not let him go. Still, he would not con- 
sent, until they promised first to send some one 
to Rome to know whether the capitol yet held 
out, and, in case it did, to take orders from the 
Senate, which was shut up within it. 

This was a very difficult task to perform, but 
a young Roman named Pontius Cominius dared 
to undertake it. He passed through the ene- 
my's ranks, and reaching the Capitoline Hill, 
clambered from rock to rock, scaling precipice 
after precipice, and, encountering a thousand 



Destruction of Rome. 161 

Camillus Dictator. 

dangers, finally reached the capitol. Without 
a moment's delay, the Senate, hearing his re- 
port, with one voice, declared Camillus Dicta- 
tor of Rome, and thus the poor exile was raised 
to the highest dignity of his country. But it 
was a dignity without any thing to support it. 
This imprisoned Senate could furnish him with 
neither money, nor arms, nor troops. To a sol- 
dier like Camillus, it was, however, of little 
consequence. The hero who had captured Veii, 
when it had withstood for ten years every force 
that could be brought against it, was able to 
find soldiers enough who counted it sufiicient 
glory to follow wherever he might lead. They 
started up from every hill-side, and poured upon 
him from every city; and ere he could conclude 
upon any plan for delivering Rome, he found 
himself at the head of forty thousand soldiers. 

In the mean time some of the troops of 
Brenmis, rambling about the Capitoline Hill, 
^discovered among the rocks the footsteps of the 
daring Pontius. Guessing at once that they 
might be the means of indicating some passage 
to the capitol, they traced them until they found 
out how this hitherto inaccessible place could 
be reached. These soldiers at once made known 
their discovery to Brennus, who, forming a plan 
to surprise the fortress, chose fi-om his army a 
n 



162 Republic of Rome. 

Attempt to take the Capitol— Fate of the Invaders. 

number of youths accustomed to mountain life, 
and sent them out by night to take the place. 
With great difficulty these bold fellows followed 
the tracks of the Roman Pontius, lending each 
other a helping hand, until they arrived at the 
foot of the wall, which on that side was built 
very low, because so craggy a place seemed 
safe from all attack. 

Finding the sentinel asleep, these Gauls be- 
gan to scale the wall, when some geese, conse- 
crated to Juno, awakened by the noise, made 
a loud cackling ; the sound, so unusual at mid- 
night, aroused the suspicions of M. Manlius, a 
consular person, who immediately ran to the 
spot to ascertain the cause. It was impossible 
for him to mistake it, and it was equally im- 
possible for the discovered invaders to retreat. 
Alone he faces the enemy, who, notwithstand- 
ing their number, must fight him at a fearful 
disadvantage. He cuts off the hand that is 
lifting a battle-axe to fell him ; with his buckler 
he pushes another to the bottom of the preci- 
pice ; again and again, he sends another tum- 
bling headlong after, and clamoring as loudly 
as he can, succeeds at last in raising the gar- 
rison. ]^o quarter is now given to the Gauls, 
who, finding it in vain to fly, are successively 
thrown into the abyss below. 



Destruction of Eome. 163 

*- — — 

Critical situation of the Gauls. 

As soon as the Romans in the capitol found 
themselves delivered from the great danger 
that had threatened them, they seized the sen- 
tinel who had so carelessly slept upon his post, 
and hurled him headlong from the rock ; and, 
at the same time, they rewarded M. Manlius, 
who by his courage and vigilance had saved 
them. As the provisions of the garrison w^ere 
becoming very scarce, each soldier presented 
him with half a pound of meal and a measure 
of wine. 

It w'as not long before the Gauls themselves 
began to experience the inconvenience of scar- 
city almost as much as those whom they were 
besieging in the capitol. Hitherto they had 
procured their provisions by pillaging the sur- 
rounding country ; but, through fear of the 
army of Camillus, they confined themselves 
more closely to the city, and thus the besiegers 
w^ere, in turn, themselves besieged. By de- 
grees they began to be fairly in w^ant, and 
would have been glad enough could they 
have w^ithdrawn honorably from the walls of 
Eome. 

During this time, the Romans in the capitol 
did not know that their Dictator, Camillus, 
was working zealously for their delivery. Dis- 
tressed by hunger, they resolved to enter into 



164 Eepublic of Rome. 

Distress in the Capitol— Appearance of Camillus. 

negotiations with Brennus for the snrrender of 
the capitol; and intrusted their interests to 
Siilpicius, a military tribune, who agreed with 
Brennus to give him a thousand pounds weight 
of gold, if he would innnediately withdraw his 
army from the dominions of the Republic. 
According to agreement the gold w^as brought ; 
but upon weighing it the Gauls made use of 
false balances. Such unfairness caused a mur- 
mur among the Romans ; but Brennus, instead 
of redressing the abuse, pulled off his sword 
and belt, and threw them into the scale, al- 
ready overcharged. Sulpicius, enraged at such 
an insult, asked him the meaning of his con- 
duct. " What should it be," replied the bar- 
barian, " but woe to the concpiered ?" 

Bat Camillus, with his army, advancing with 
all speed, was now near Rome. Word having 
been sent to him that a treaty had been formed 
between the inmates of the capitol and the 
Gauls, and that the deputies of the former were 
now^ in conference wdth Brennus, he immedi- 
ately took with him some of his principal offi- 
cers, and set out in haste for the city. Reach- 
ing the place where Sulpicius and Brennus 
were contending about the gold, he was re- 
ceived with every mark of attention by the 
Roman deputies. Sulpicius at once made known 



Destruction of Rome. 165 

Brennus and Camillas. 

to him the unfair dealing of Brennus, and ai> 
pealed to him for justice. 

" Carry back this gold into the capitol," said 
Camillus to the deputies; "and you, Gauls, 
retire with A^our scales and weights. It is with 
steel alone that the Romans shall recover their 
country !" 

Confounded by such haughty language, Bren- 
nus stood speechless for a moment, w^hile the 
Gauls and the Roman deputies prepared to do 
the bidding of Camillus. At length he ven- 
tured to protest against the proceedings of Ca- 
millus, as a contravention of a treaty already 
concluded. 

" I am Dictator of Rome," replied Camillus, 
" and who dares to determine an affair of such 
importance without my sanction ? Away with 
your gold, your weights and balances !" 

Brennus, recovering from his confusion, re- 
plied with as much haughtiness as Camillus, 
and the two chieftains separated, in order to 
decide their quarrel by an appeal to arms. 
Without the least delay, the army of Camillus 
advancing, dashed with fury upon the Gauls, 
who were promptly drawn out to meet them. 
Brennus at this time discovered his match in 
the leader of the Roman legions. His bravest 
troops fell back, notwithstanding the superior!- 



166 Republic of Rome. 

The Gauls driven from Kome — Appearance of the City. 

ty of their position. Rallying them as well as 
he could, he raised the siege, and retreated 
some miles from Rome. But Camillus was de- 
termined to punish him for the injuries sus- 
tained by Rome. He followed him in his re- 
treat, slew almost all his soldiers, and recovered 
from them the rich spoils which they were car- 
rying away. 

Although delivered from its enemies, Rome 
was not, at this time, a place suitable for the 
accommodation of the many thousands who 
claimed it as their home. Scarcely a house 
was standing within its walls, and the walls 
themselves were, in many places, level with 
the ground. Under such circumstances, it was 
not strange that a proposition should be made 
and urged, to remove, in a mass, to the city of 
Yeii, which was a well-fortified place, with 
stately buildings, and surrounded by a fruitful 
territory. The Tribunes advocated the plan 
with the greatest ardor, representing the diffi- 
culty which must attend any attempt to rebuild 
a city in the midst of such immense heaps of 
ruins. Besides, the people were exhausted by 
misfortunes, without strength, without money, 
and almost without provisions. But the Sen- 
ate did not agree with the Tribunes, although 
their opposition was rather in the form of pray- 



Destruction of Kome. 167 



The rebuilding of Rome. 



ers and entreaties. They showed the people 
the tombs of their ancestors; pointed to the 
spots consecrated to the gods by Romulus and 
ISTuma, and reminded them of the prophecies 
that Rome slionld become the mistress of the 
world. Camilhis, too, was among the number 
of those who opposed the pi'oposition to aban- 
don Rome. " Consider," said he, " that by re- 
tiring to Yeii, you will assume the name of a 
conquei-ed people, and lose that of Romans, to- 
gether with the glorious destiny whicli the gods 
have affixed to it, and which, with your name, 
will go to the first barbarians that shall get 
possession of the capitol, and who, by this 
change, may perliaps in time become your 
masters and your tyrants." 

Tlie words of Camilhis acted like a charm 
on all. The prospect of future emj)ire was far 
to be preferred, by the Romans, to the present 
conveniences of life. The Tribunes yielded. 
The people declared that they would not go to 
Yeii ; and every one falling to v/ork, the i e- 
building of the city went on with such rapidity, 
that in less than one year it assumed the same 
apjDearance which it presented on the arrival 
of the dreadful Brennus. 

But scarcely had Rome thus arisen from its 
ashes, than its old enemies, the Tuscans, the 



168 Eepublic of Kome. 

Jealousy of M Manlius, 

Jilqui, and the Yolsci, leagued together for the 
purpose of oppressing it. Camillus was again 
called to the Dictatorship ; and, by his con- 
summate ability as a general, succeeded in de- 
feating their armies and comjDelling them to 
sue for mercy. In consequence of these and 
former services he became the idol of the peo- 
ple, who honored him with the title of Restorer 
of the Country and Second Founder of Rome. 

Among the fellow- citizens of Camillus, there 
was one, however, who was unwilling to yield 
him all the glory accorded freely by the rest. 
This was Marcus Manlius, the brave soldier, 
who, with his single arm, had defended the 
capitol w^hen about to be surprised by the 
Gauls at midnight. He could not bear to see 
Camillus preferred, before him, in the command 
of the armies ; and, by his frequent speeches, 
he endeavored to blacken the character of a 
man who was admired and beloved by all. 
With the design, as was said, of promoting his 
ambitious aims, he began to flatter the people, 
and to impress them with the idea that he was 
friendly to their interests. He renewed the 
proposals for the division of the lands ; he even 
sold his own to acquit the debts of the op- 
pressed plebeians ; he interfered between debt- 
ors and creditors, and was frequently insiru- 



Destruction of Rome. 169 

Troubles again — Dictator created. 

mental in rescuing from prison those whom 
poverty had sent there. These acts, it was as- 
serted, sprang, not from benevolence, but from 
selfishness, his whole aim being to secure 
power through the aid of the lower classes. 
Whether this was true or not, it is certain that 
Manlius acquired numerous friends and sup- 
porters, who, not contented alone with bestow- 
ing upon him their praises, attended him often 
as a sort of guard. 

In time, the patricians began to feel a good 
deal of uneasiness, and, the influence of Man- 
lius becoming daily stronger and stronger, tbey 
deemed it necessary to resort to the usual rem- 
edy, which was to create a Dictator. This was 
done on pretence that the interests of Eome 
demanded an army to be sent against the Yol- 
sci. Cornelius Cossus was chosen Dictator. 
The Yolsci were soon reduced to submission, 
and the Dictator, returning to Rome, summoned 
Manlius to appear before him. Manlius obeyed 
with promptness, attended by a concourse of 
his friends. Failing to satisfy the Dictator, 
when charged with engaging in various disor- 
derly practices, he was committed to prison 
without making any other resistance than an 
appeal to the deities of the capitol, that they 
would protect their soldier and defender. 



170 Kepublio of Kome. 

Manlius placed iu Prison— His death. 

The friends of Manlius, chiefly plebeians, in 
token of their sorrow, dressed themselves in 
mourning, and even uttered seditious murmur- 
ing. In order to appease them, they were 
off'ered lands belonging to one of the newly- 
conquered towns ; but this did not succeed. 
The prison of Manlius was surrounded, night 
and day, by crowds of people, eager to effect 
his liberty ; and, in order to prevent mischief, 
he was at length set free. But the evil prac- 
tices of which he was accused, were still kept 
up, with the very designs urged as reasons for 
his arrest and imprisonment. 

Camillus now, for the fifth time, became 
Dictator ; and such a triumph of his rival 
could not be otherwise than tormenting to a 
soul like that of Manlius. He did not, of 
course, fail to testify his feelings ; and his pro- 
ceedings, whether legal or illegal, were suffi- 
ciently offensive to the patricians to bring upon 
him the charge of aspiring after royalty. Once 
more he was summoned to be ti-ied, and the 
charges against him having been fully estab- 
lished, he was condemned, as is said, to be 
thrown from the Tarpeian rock — a spot which 
was at once the monument of his glory and his 
shame. 



FOREIGN CONQUESTS. 



FROM 380 TO 120 B. 0. 



Cahthage and its People — Ship-building among the Ro- 
mans — First Naval Engagement — Expedition against Car- 
thage — Regulus is taken Prisoner — His noble Conduct — 
Carthaginians beaten — Peace — The War renewed — Hanni- 
bal invades Italy — His March — His Success — Opposed by 
the Roman Armies — Artifice of Hannibal — Defeat of the 
Romans — Patriotism of Scipio — The Romans encouraged — 
Hannibal called Home— Misfortunes of Carthage — Its Fall 
— Tiberius and Caius Gracchus — Ambition — Agrarian Law 
— ^Designs of Tiberius defeated — His Artifice — His Death — 
Caius and Drusus — Death of Caius. 



yii. 

FOREIGN CONQUESTS. 



It was almost five hundred years before the 
Romans had so far subdued the nations by 
which they were surrounded, as to think of 
spreading their conquests beyond the limits of- 
Italy. But they no sooner felt themselves to 
be perfect mastei-s of the countries near them, 
than they determined to carry their arms be- 
yond the sea ; and the first foreign war which 
they undertook was with Carthage, a rich and 
powerful city, on the coast of Africa. 

The foundation of Carthage was laid about a 
hundred and thirty-seven years before that of 
Rome. All its citizens were merchants, and 
traflic was esteemed among them far above 
the profession of arms. The fleets of Carthage 
were, however, among the most powerful in the 
world, and no one doubted her superiority upon 
the sea, over which she had extended her do- 
minion, quite to the coasts of Spain, and in the 



174 Republic of Rome. 

The Komans engage in Ship-building. 

islands of Sicily, Corsica, and Sardinia. But 
the conquests of Carthage were effected, chiefly, 
by the aid of foreign troops, and, in some cases, 
even under the command of hired generals. 
Rome, on the other hand, reared her OAvn mi- 
litia, and her officers were taken from among 
those who had been brought up to flght her 
battles. 

A great sea lay between Rome and Carthage, 
and Rome had not a single ship to launch upon 
it, nor had she a single sailor or naval captain 
among all her legions. But her people were 
ingenious, diligent, and never discouraged by 
the greatest labors. When they had formed 
the resolution to gather glory and wealth be- 
yond the weaves, it was not long before they 
found the means of carrying this resolution into 
effect. Hitherto they had never paid the least 
attention to the construction of the vessels that 
accidentally, or otherwise, visited their coasts ; 
but now, a Carthaginian galley having been 
driven to them by stress of weather, they seized 
upon it eagerly, and taking it for a model, 
built, within two months, a fleet sufficiently 
powerful to commence their enter23rise against 
the great city, whose dominion upon the sea 
it w^as their intention to dispute. Their flrst 
naval engagement was successful, too ; and 



Foreign Conquests. 1Y5 

First naval Engagements. 

their first uaval commander, in honor of his 
achievements, was ever attended at night, dm-- 
ing the remainder of his life, with flambeaux 
and music. 

Encouraged by their early success, they in- 
creased, rapidly, their fleets, and spreading 
them over the sea, made themselves the mas- 
ters of Agrigentum, and of the chief towns in 
that island ; they took Aleria, the capital of 
Corsica, Olbia in Sardinia, and, finally, car- 
ried their victorious arms to the very gates of 
Carthage. 

L. Manlins and Attilius Kegulns commanded 
the first fleet that was sent to Carthage. It 
consisted of three hundred and forty ships, with 
a hundred and forty thousand troops. But be- 
fore they reached their destination, the Cartha- 
ginians met them on the sea, with an equal 
armament. The struggle was a long and des- 
perate one, the Carthaginians having the ad- 
vantage of lighter vessels and better sailors. 
Fortune seemed uncertain where to choose ; 
but the Roman vessels finally grappling with 
those of the Carthaginians, the fighting began 
foot to foot, and, as it were, on dry land. Then 
it was that the Romans got the better of their 
enemies. They fought like madmen, deter- 
mined to conquer or to die. The Carthagin- 



176 Republic of Rome. 

Expedition against Cartilage. 

ians were slaughtered by liundreds and thou- 
sands. The sea was perfectly red with blood, 
and the bodies of the dead floated far and wide 
on every hand. Ship after ship was disabled 
and sunk, until the whole Carthaginian fleet 
was completely scattered. 

The Romans obtaining, in this way, a free 
passage to the coast of Africa, succeeded in 
landing, and immediately began to ravage the 
country in a most terrible manner. In a short 
time Manlius sailed back to Italy, with twenty- 
seven thousand prisoners, while Regulus, ac- 
cording to the instructions of the Senate, 
continued his conquests. Success attended 
him wherever he went, until finally he brought 
his army to the walls of Carthage. By this 
time the city was crowded to overflowing by 
the terrified inhabitants of the surrounding 
country, who had fled thither for protection; 
and Regulus had not been long about the walls 
with his besieging army, before the Carthagin- 
ians began to experience all the terrors of fam- 
ine and sickness. 

The Carthaginians, relying but little upon 
their ability to cope with an enemy that had 
thus far beaten them by sea and land, were 
very desirous of entering into negotiations ; 
and Regulus himself, contented with his vie- 



Foreign Conquests. 177 

Advantages gained over the Carthaginians. 

tories, was not averse to it. But as he held 
Carthage completely in his power, he felt that 
he had a right to impose npon them such terms 
as he pleased, and accordingly agreed to re- 
move his army on condition that the Cartha- 
ginians should deliver up to Kome the islands 
of Sicily and Sardinia, give liberty to all the 
prisoners that they had taken, defray the ex- 
penses of the war, pay an annual tribute, never 
undertake a war without the consent of the 
Senate, keep but one large ship in their navy, 
and furnish fifty galleys, completely equipped, 
whenever the interest of Rome might require 
them. 

These terms imposed by the Romans were 
considered very hard by their enemies, but 
Regulus, who thought himself master of the 
country, replied — " That enemies must either 
conquer, or submit to the law of the con- 
queror." This rendered the Carthaginians des- 
perate; and accordingly, mustering all their 
forces, and marching out into the open field, 
under the command of Xantippus, a Lacede- 
monian general, they offered battle to the 
Romans. Their position was admirably cho- 
sen, while that of the Romans was not. But 
the Romans, having been hitherto successful, 
began to despise their foes, and rushed upon 

12 



1Y8 Republic of Rome. 

Eegulus, the Eoman General, taken Prisoner. 

them with deafening shouts. The Carthagin- 
ians maintained their ground like men deter- 
mined to conquer or to die; and in a short 
time, by means of their elephants and cavalry, 
succeeded in putting the Romans to flight, with 
a loss of thirty thousand men. Regulus, their 
general, was taken prisoner, and being loaded 
with chains, was carried to Carthage and con- 
fined in a gloomy dungeon. 

The war between these two nations was still 
continued with the same animosity, Rome fill- 
ing the seas with her navies, and pouring into 
Africa her countless soldiers. Success some- 
times attended one side, and sometimes the 
other ; but the Carthaginians having finally 
lost a number of battles, took Regulus from his 
prison and sent him to Rome to solicit a peace, 
or, at least, an exchange of prisoners. Before 
going, however, he was compelled to make a 
promise, that he would return to Carthage if 
he failed in his mission, and was moreover told 
that his life depended upon his success. 

The joy of the Senate at having thus an op- 
portunity to liberate their brave and faithful 
general was very great, and they would have 
willingly testified their regard for him by buy- 
ing his freedom at any price. But Regulus 
labored earnestly against his own interest, and 



Foreign Conquests. 179 

TLe Carthaginians beaten— Peace. 

succeeded in persuading Lis fellow-countrymen 
to continue the war. Then, without entering 
his house, or seeing liis wife and children, lest 
he should be softened by their tears, he re- 
turned to Carthage, according to his promise, 
w^here he perished in the most cruel torments. 

After a great deal of fighting, the Romans 
finally gained such advantage over the Cartha- 
ginians that the latter were obliged once more 
to sue for peace, which was granted, upon the 
hardest conditions. They w^ere comj)elled to 
abandon the island of Sicily, to restore all j)ris- 
oners without ransom, to give up all deserters, 
to pay down a thousand talents for the charge 
of the war, and two thousand two hundred in 
two years by way of tribute. The Carthagin- 
ians, however, w^ere glad to obtain peace even 
upon such severe terms ; but it was not so 
much peace, that they desired, as a truce. They 
had suffered terribly, and needed time to repair 
their forces. As soon, then, as they found them- 
selves in a condition to fight, they took up arms 
with even greater fury than before. 

The famous Hannibal Vv^as, no doubt, the 
cause of this second war, memorable for some 
of the most daring exploits that are found re- 
corded upon the page of history. When this 
great Carthaginian general was only nine years 



180 Republic of Rome. 



The War renewed— Hannibal invades Italj'. 



of age he accompanied his father in the war 
against Spain, and at that time swore, at the 
altar, eternal hatred to the Romans. Faithful 
to this early vow, he took the first opportunity 
to bring about a violation of the treaties exist- 
ing between Carthage and Rome ; and as soon 
as war was declared on the part of Rome, he 
set out for Italy with an army of ninety thou- 
sand foot soldiers, forty elephants, and twelve 
thousand cavalry. With this immense army, 
he traversed Gaul in the depth of winter. His 
passage across the Alps was accomplished in 
nine days, but this desperate journey was per- 
formed at the expense of six thousand horse- 
men and seventy thousand footmen, who j)er- 
ished from the hardships which they were 
forced to undei-go. Capturing Turin, he sup- 
plied his needy troops with provisions, and 
encouraged the people of Cisalpine Gaul to 
join his standard. With all speed he then set 
out for Rome ; but the army of that Republic, 
under the conduct of Cornelius Scipio, ad- 
vanced in the mean time to resist him, and on 
the banks of the river Ticinus they met. Tlie 
battle was bloody, but the day was decided by 
a charge of the x^nmidian horse, which left 
Hannibal master of the field. The life of the 
Roman general was saved by his son Publius 



Foreign Conquests. 181 

Armies sent from Rome — liannibal's March. 

Scipio, wlio afterwards gained so much dis- 
tinction in the war with the Carthaginians. 

A second army, under the command of Tibe- 
rius Sempronius, was now sent against Hanni- 
bal, bnt with no better success — the Romans 
losing their camp, and twenty-six thousand 
men. By this time, ITannibal was willing to 
give his army rest, and accordingly he retired 
into w^inter quarters. But the Romans, mean- 
while, were not idle. Their empire in Italy 
was seriously threatened, and whatever they 
conld do to repel the successful invader must 
be done promptly and vigorously. Two large 
armies were therefore raised, and fully equipped 
for the ensuing campaign. These were sent to 
the passes of the Apennines ; but Hannibal, de- 
termining to encounter only one of them at a 
time, crossed the mountains, and traversed the 
Clusian Marsh. For four days and nights his 
army marched through water ; and he himself, 
mounted on the only remaining elephant, bare- 
ly saved his own life, and lost an eye in conse- 
quence of an inflammation. As soon as he 
found a solid footing, he sought to engage in 
battle the army under Flaminius. He laid 
waste with hre and sword the whole country 
around him, and pretended that he was about 
marching upon the city of Rome. Flaminius, 



182 Eepublic of Rome. 

Artifice of Hannibal 

induced to keep nearer to him than was pru- 
dent, was suddenly attacked, upon the borders 
of the Lake Thrasjmenus, and his army was 
completely cut to pieces before he could dis- 
play his colors. Hannibal now marched into 
Apulia, spreading terror wherever he went. 
Meanwhile another army, under the command 
of Fabius Maximus, was sent out to oppose 
him. With this general, Hannibal experienced 
more trouble than with those whom he had 
been hitherto obliged to encounter. Fabius 
almost equalled him in the use of stratagem, 
and so completely baffled him in his designs, 
that he scarcely knew what to do. But Han- 
nibal outwitted him at last. Finding him- 
self suddenly shut between impassable rocks 
and marshes, he collected a thousand oxen, and 
fastening burning torches to their horns, drove 
them furiously, at midnight, into the defiles 
which w^ere guarded by the Eomans. Panic- 
struck, by the terrible sight, the guards fled 
from their posts, and Hannibal forced his way 
through the Roman ranks. 

Delay was disastrous to the Carthaginians, 
whenever a Roman army was hovering around 
them. Their dependence for support w^as upon 
the territory in which they happened to be lo- 
cated ; and it was necessary for them to meet 



Foreign Conquests. 183 

Defeat of tlje Eonians — They recover. 

opposition with the utmost promptness. Being 
now in possession of Cannse, they used every 
effort to bring the Romans to an engagement, 
but for a time w^ere unsuccessful. It was finally 
brought about, and th«i Roman army Avas to- 
tally destroyed. Rome lost, as is said, fifty 
thousand men ; and the conqueror sent to Car- 
thage two bushels of gold rings, to show the 
incredible number of Roman knights that had 
fallen in the battle. It is quite probable that 
Hannibal would have made himself master of 
the city without striking a blow, if he had at 
this time marched his victorious army directly 
to Rome. Acting, however, as if he feared to 
put an end to the war too soon, he lingered in 
Campania, under pretence that his troops need- 
ed some repose. This gave the Romans time 
to recover from their consternation, and to take 
steps for preserving themselves from total de- 
struction. It was to the young Scipio that they 
were mainly indebted for this success. 

After the battle of Cannae, he, with a number 
of other ofticers, retired to a neighboring town, 
which still held for the Romans, and while oc- 
cupied at the house of a friend was informed 
that these officers, in despair of saving the Re- 
public, had assembled at a certain place for the 
purpose of making arrangements to abandon 



184: Republic of Rome. 

Conduct of Scipio— The Romans encouraged. 

Italy. Extremely indignant at such conduct, 
he repaired immediately to the assembly, and 
entering with his drawn sword in hand, he 
cried out: "I swear that I will never abandon 
the Republic, nor suffer any of her citizens to 
do it. Whoever here shall refuse to take this 
oath which I have taken, shall perish beneath 
my sword !" 

Ashamed of their conduct, and willing to do 
any thing to atone for it, they took the oath 
prescribed by Scipio. Some repaired to Rome, 
and others undertook to rally the allies, so that 
hope began to spring up in the bosoms of the 
people. Every effort was made to repel Han- 
nibal. The citizens armed their slaves. They 
gave their silver and their gold. They took 
dowm from the roofs of the temples the old 
arms that had been hung up there as trophies, 
and gave them to the troops. Q. Fabius Max- 
imus, leader of the Roman army at home, by 
all sorts of artifice and delays, foiled the Car- 
thaginian general at every step. Scipio, too, 
at the head of the Roman army in Africa, was 
gaining battle after battle, and daily threaten- 
ing the destruction of Carthage. He had there 
gained, as allies, the two powerful kings, Sy- 
phax and Masinissa ; and so great was his suc- 
cess, that the Carthaginians were compelled to 



Foreign Conquests. 185 

The Carthaginians compelled to make Peace. 

call Hannibal home to defend his own country. 
These two great generals met near Zama, with 
the full knowledge that the battle about to be 
fought between them, would decide the empire 
and the liberty of their respective countries. 
The soldiers knew, too, how much depended on 
their spirit and courage. Success, under such 
circumstances, was for a long time doubtful, 
but victory at last declared for Scipio. Twenty 
thousand Carthaginians fell upon the field, and 
an equal number were taken prisoners. 

It was now impossible for Carthage to make 
any further resistance to Kome. Peace must 
be obtained at almost any price, and even the 
proud Hannibal himself was obliged to sue for 
it. But the Romans would not grant it except 
on the hardest terms. They compelled the 
Carthaginians to give up all their fleets, and 
their elephants; they forced them to restore 
all their prisoners, and to deliver up all desert- 
ers ; they made them pay immense sums of 
money; forbid them to make alliances with 
other nations, or to engage in war, without the 
knowledge and express permission of the Ro- 
man Senate. 

The deplorable condition of Carthage w^as 
rendered even more deplorable through the 
implacable hatred of Masinissa, king of Ku' 



186 Republic of Rome. 

Fall of Carthage —A spirations of Kome. 

midia. Protected by Rome, this old enemy- 
deprived the Carthaginians of the best part of 
their possessions, and destroyed their trade in 
the interior of Africa. But, more than all this, 
the Romans, seeing them so enfeebled, and 
still remembering the injuries sustained at 
their hands in the battles of Thrasymenus and 
Cannse, resolved upon their total destruction. 
And now the third war with Carthage began, 
but it was not of so long duration as the two 
preceding. That stately city, which had pre- 
sumed to dispute the empire of the world with 
Rome, fell, and its inhabitants were scattered 
among the different nations of the earth. 

And now Rome, elevated to the highest 
pitch by such a triumph, aspired to the con- 
quest of the whole earth. Their military lead- 
ers and their armies marched forth in every 
direction. The great Antiochus, who ruled 
over the larger part of Asia, was driven by 
them from his possessions. They conquered 
the Insubrians and the Ligurians. They re- 
duced Macedon as well as Illyrium into prov- 
inces. The Greeks, too, fell under their do- 
minion. In one word, all Italy, Spain, Illyrium 
quite to the Danube, Africa, Greece, Thrace, 
Macedon, Syria, all the kingdoms of Asia Mi- 
nor, became members of the Roman Empire ; 



Foreign Conquests. 187 

Tiberius and Caius Gracchus. 

and the name of Rome stnick terror and re- 
spect among all the nations of the earth. 

With so much success, came the greatest lux- 
ury ; and the manners of the Homans suffered 
so much change by their good fortune, that they 
seemed altogether another people. The up- 
rightness for which they had been held in such 
esteem, became corrupted by the pleasure of 
conquest and dominion. Ambition, rather than 
justice, governed their undertakings; selfish- 
ness succeeded the care formerly manifested 
for the public good ; and patriotism almost 
ceased to exist among them. 

In this state of things arose Tiberius Grac- 
chus and Caius Gracchus, names too familiar 
in Roman history to be numbered with those 
which can be mentioned only where the great- 
est minuteness is to be observed. These bro- 
thers were grandchildren of the great Scipio, 
and their sister marrying the younger Scipio, 
they were thus related to the most powerful 
families in the Republic. Their mother, Cor- 
nelia, bestowed upon them a most excellent ed- 
ucation. She, one day, being in the company 
of a Roman lady who w^as disjDlaying her jew- 
els, was asked to exhibit hers. Sending at once 
for her two sons, she pointed to them and ex- 
claimed : " These are my jewels." 



188 Eepublic of Eome. 

Ambition of Tiberius fostered by his Mother. 

Tiberius, the elder, was endowed by nature 
with all those graces which serve as a recom- 
mendation to merit. He was also noted for his 
moderation, frugality, and public spirit ; and, 
at an early age, had made himself conspicuous 
in the military service. Under the command 
of his brother-in-law, Scipio, he assisted at the 
siege of Carthage, and was the first man who 
mounted the walls of the burning city. At the 
age of thirty he was considered one of the best 
orators of Rome ; but those who were jealous 
of his rising merit insinuated that he possessed 
inordinate ambition, an im]3lacable hatred 
against the Senate, and a pretended zeal for 
the interests of the people. 

His mother, Cornelia, is reported to have en- 
couraged his ambition by saying that jjeople 
spoke of her as the mother-in-law of Scipio, 
and not as the mother of the Gracchi. " Your 
brother-in-law, Scipio," she continually said, 
"stands in the first rank among the captains 
and generals of the Republic ; make, now, your 
own name distinguished by the establishment 
of laws useful to the people." 

Whether at the solicitation of his mother or 
not, it is quite certain that he offered himself 
as a candidate for the tribuneship of the peo- 
ple, and he was duly invested with this ofiice. 



Foreign Conquests. 189 



Tlie Agrarian Law. 



His attention liad been, doubtless, called to the 
poverty of the lower classes ; and the success- 
ful application of a remedy would certainly 
place his name as conspicuously before the 
world as that of his illustrious brother-in-law, 
Scipio. He undei-took the task, but, like most 
reformers and servants of the people, whether 
selfish or unselfish, he reaped, in the end, sor- 
row and shame. 

Two hundred and thirty-two years had now 
passed since the enactment of the Agrarian 
law, by which it was declared tliat no person 
should possess more than five hundred acres of 
the public domain, and that the overplus should 
be divided among the plebeians. This law 
had ever remained a dead letter, and Tiberius 
knew that its revival would only meet with the 
strongest opposition from the higher classes. 
But he managed to bring it up, with several 
softening clauses. He provided that the pos- 
sessoi*s of surplus lands should receive compen- 
sation for the buildings and other improvements 
erected on them ; that every son who was of 
age might possess the whole quantity allowed 
by law to a citizen and householder ; and that 
every son under age might possess half that 
quantity. 

But the nobles and rich citizens of Rome re- 



190 Eepublic of Eome. 

Designs of Tiberius defeated. 

jected the propositions of Tiberius with con- 
tempt, and stigmatized him as a promoter of 
sedition and a disturber of the public peace ; 
and to counteract his plans, they gained over 
one of the Tribunes of the people, Marcus Oc- 
tavius, without whose consent it would be im- 
possible to enact the modified law. According 
to custom, however, Tiberius exposed his law 
nineteen days to the view of the people, and 
then proceeded to take their votes upon it. 
But Octavius interposed with his veto, and the 
whole undertaking seemed thus, at once, to be 
defeated. 

Tiberius was not, however, to be so easily 
thwarted in his designs ; and while the great 
men of Rome were triumphing over his defeat, 
he was taking measures to put a speedy termi- 
nation to their joy. 

At the next assembly of the people he arose 
and thus addressed them : " Since custom will 
not allow a Tribune to propose any new law, if 
but one of his colleagues forbids it, it is but 
justice that I should submit to the opposition 
of Octavius. But then as the tribuneship was 
created with a view to the redressing of the 
people's grievances, and as that Tribune, who 
forsakes this view, destroys the very foundation 
of this institution, I demand that the people, by 



Foreign Conquests. 191 



His artifice — The Law revived. 



plurality of voices, decide which of the two, 
Octavius or I, acts most contrary to their in- 
terests; and that he who is judged to have 
failed in his duty, and to have abused his i)riv- 
ilege of opposition, be immediately deposed." 

This proposition of Tiberius was at once 
unanimously approved ; and the vote being 
taken without delay, Octavius was excluded 
from the tribuneship. Thus, every obstacle to 
the law being removed, it was revived, and 
three commissioners, or triumvirs, were chosen 
to attend to the division of the lands. But the 
difficulties attending this, now appeared in their 
full light. Complaints of the bitterest kind 
proceeded from every part of Italy, and Tibe- 
rius began to find his enemies daily increasing 
around him. Endeavoring to regain the favor 
of the people, he occupied himself in devising 
new plans for promoting their interest; but so 
zealously did the patricians labor against him, 
that, when the day for electing the Tribunes of 
the following year arrived, it was found impos- 
sible to hold any election at all. And on the 
next day, such a noisy multitude beset the Fo- 
rum, that Tiberius strove in vain to raise his 
voice among them. 

Alarmed for his own safety, the Tribune 
beckoned to his nearest friends, and, wishing 



192 Eepublic or Eome. 

Death of Tiberius. 

to intimate to them that his life was in danger, 
he touched his head with the end of his finger. 
''He wishes a crown!" shouted his enemies. 
'' Whoever loves the Kepublic, let him follow 
me!" cried his own kinsman, Scij^io Kasica; 
and at the head of his followers he made an 
onset upon Tiberius and his friends. A great 
tumult ensued. The friends of Tiberius, terri- 
fied, abandoned him. They ran in every di- 
rection ; and Tiberius himself, flinging away 
his robes of office, darted from his tribunal, 
and ran to save his life. He fell, however, in 
his flight, and, at the same time receiving a 
blow upon the head from some one near, never 
again arose to his feet. With him three hun- 
dred of his friends and adhei'ents were slain 
and flung into the Tiber. 

The Agrarian, or Sempronian, law was in 
nowise affected by the death of Tiberius. It 
still continued in full force, and ceased not to 
be the source of fresh commotions. One of the 
very commissioners appointed to execute it, 
was chosen to fill the place of the murdered 
Tiberius ; and, for several years, Eome was the 
theatre of ceaseless struggles between the pa- 
tricians and plebeians. Caius Gracchus, bro- 
ther of Tiberius, came to the tribuneship ten 
years afterwards. With a desire of revenge. 



Foreign Conquests. 193 

Caius Gracchus and Livius Drusus — Death of Caius. 

he omitted no opportunity to gain the favor of 
the plebeians, as well as to arouse them against 
the patricians. Many of his brother's enemies 
were, through his instrumentality, expelled 
from the city ; and the execution of the hateful 
law w^as earnestly attempted. Such was his 
success in operating upon the people, that he 
was chosen Tribune for a second year. But 
the Senate found the means of withdrawing the 
favor of the people from Caius. Their instru- 
ment was his colleague, Livius Drusus, who, 
by means of making still greater promises to 
them than were made by Caius, succeeded in 
winning their approbation. When, therefore, 
a third election for Tribunes took place, Caius 
was defeated, and Opimius, one of his bitterest 
enemies, was chosen to the consulate. 

Soon after his elevation to office, Opimius 
sought to repeal the laws made by Caius : in 
consequence of which a great tumult arose in 
the city. Thousands of people armed them- 
selves upon different sides ; and the streets of 
Rome once more flowed with the blood of its 
citizens. Ko less than three thousand were 
slain. Tlie head of Caius was cut off, and car- 
ried about upon the end of a spear ; and his 
body, like that of his brother Tiberius, was 
thrown into the river Tiber. 

13 



THE JUGURTHINE WAR, 



FROM 120 TO 102 B. C. 



Early Education of Jugurtha — He forms Plans to obtain 
the Throne of Numidia — Is adopted by the King, his Uncle 
— Death of Hiempsal, his adopted Brother — Civil War in 
Numidia — Commissioners sent thither from Rome — Jugur- 
tha's manner of satisfying them — Civil "War continued — His 
adopted brother, Adherbal appeals to Rome — Murder of 
Adherbal — Rome makes War against Jugurtha — The Roman 
General bribed by him — Indignation of the People — Jugur- 
tha goes to Rome — Another Roman Army sent against him 
— Its Defea-t — Partial Defeat of Jugurtha — Caius Marius be- 
comes Consul and takes command in N'umidia — Final Over- 
throw of Jugurtha — His Delivery to Sylla — His Death, 



VIII. 

THE JUGURTHINE WAR. 



The loss of the Gracchi was very deeply felt 
by the people of Kome ; and an affair of less 
moment than that of Jiigurtha, would have 
scarcely brought them out of the dejection and 
consternation into which this loss had thrown 
them. 

During the war against the Carthaginians, 
the Koman general, Scipio, had formed a friend- 
ship with Masinissa, a famous African prince. 
This prince rendered him such valuable servi- 
ces in his campaigns, that the Romans bestow^ed 
upon him the kingdom of Numidia, w^hich at 
his death he left to Micipsa, who succeeded 
him. Micipsa had two sons, the elder named 
Adherbal and the younger Hiempsal. Besides 
these, he had a nephew named Jugurtha, who 
being a j)romising youth, and without protect- 
ors, was taken into the family of Micipsa, and 



198 Eepublic of Kome. 

Early Education of Jugurtha. 

educated with his sons, although he was con- 
siderably older than they. 

Nothing could be more satisfactory to a pa- 
rent or guardian than were the early conduct 
and progress of Jugurtha. His masters all 
praised him for his diligence, and prophesied 
that he would be a prodigy of learning. In 
drawing the bow, managing a horse, and in all 
kinds of athletic exercises, he was surpassed by 
no one ; and it is said that his boldness in the 
chase was only equalled by the modesty with 
which he received the praises bestowed upon 
his difficult achievements. 

Young Jugurtha soon became one of the or- 
naments of the court of Numidia; and the 
king, his uncle, looked upon him with pride 
and pleasure. But as the young prince grew 
older, it became very evident that he possessed 
an inordinate ambition, guided by an artful, 
insinuating, dextrous, and deceitful genius. The 
discovery of this filled the king with anxiety, 
for he, himself, was now becoming old, and his 
two sons were not of sufficient age or ability to 
oppose artifice, such as he began to fear that 
Jugurtha might use against them. It seemed 
plain enough, that he had nourished in his 
bosom a viper that would eventually turn and 
sting him. 



JuGURTHiNE War. 199 

His success in War — Secures Friends. 

Tlie love which he bore to his own offspring 
prompted him, at once, to get rid of Jngurtha ; 
and the least objectionable manner of accom- 
plishing this seemed to be, by sending the am- 
bitions youth to the war. He placed him, ac- 
cordingly, at the head of a body of troops which 
he offered to Scipio ^milianns, who was then 
besieging E'nmantia, in Spain. Jngurtha was 
not, however, destined to be slain in war, and 
he entered it as if he felt the assurance that this 
was so. His surprising acts of valor won for 
him universal admiration ; and he made him- 
self especially pleasing to his own officei-s and 
soldiers by his winning manners, and his con- 
tinual favors and presents. ITot forgetting the 
importance of securing the principal men under 
his command, he omitted nothing which could 
bind them to his interests. And even before 
the conclusion of the campaign they intimated 
to him that he would have little difficulty in 
placing himself upon the throne of IS'umidia. 

Returning to his own country covered with 
the glory which he had acquired in the army, 
and also bearing a letter from the Roman gen- 
eral, in which his valor and his services were 
commended in the highest terms, he could not 
fail to lay a good foundation for his plans. 
Friends flocked to him from every quarter, 



200 Kepublic of Eome. 

His adoption by the King— His Plane. 

even from among the ministers of the kingdom ; 
and those who did not come voluntarily, he 
managed to gain by promises and presents. 
Without a great deal of difficulty, he contrived 
to have it intimated to the old king that he 
could not do a wiser thing than to adopt him 
as his son, in order to give his younger children 
a guardian, and the State a protector. The 
king, ready to drop into his grave, listened to 
the hint, and in hopes that Jugurtha would at 
least be grateful, adopted him in a public man- 
ner, beseeching him earnestly, at the same time, 
to have a tender regard for the interests of his 
younger brothers. 

But the projects of Jugurtha did not admit 
of any display of gratitude ; and every thing 
like a tender regard for his younger brothers 
would have been equally injurious to them. 
The death of the old king was only a signal for 
the execution of these plans, and the event 
showed how admirably they had all been laid. 
!N"umidia was divided into three equal prin- 
cipalities, at the head of which were three 
sovereigns, possessing equal power, and all 
under the protection of the Romans. To be 
the sole master of E"umidia was the aim of 
Jugurtha, and it was no great trial of his con- 
science to rid himself of the two young princes, 



JUGURTHINE WaR. 201 

Death of Hiempsal— Civil "War, 

his adopted brothers. By the aid of assassins, 
whom it was easy enough for him to hire, he 
caused the younger to be stabbed at night, 
while sleeping in his bed. 

Adherbal, the elder brother, terrified by such 
a wicked act, fled to that portion of the king- 
dom over which he had been appointed ruler ; 
and immediately proceeded to raise troops to 
defend himself against the designs of his brutal 
kinsman. The whole nation now became di- 
vided, some declaring themselves in favor of 
one prince, and some in favor of the other. A 
bloody civil war ensued, during which many 
of the towns of I^umidia were desti'oyed, and 
thousands of its inhabitants were put to the 
sword. Success generally attended the arms of 
Jugurtha, and Adherbal finally sufiiering a com- 
plete defeat, was obliged to fly for safety in 
disguise. Wandering for some time about his 
native land, he managed, at last, to make his 
escape to Rome. 

The arrival here of a young prince, thus per- 
secuted and driven from his country by an am- 
bitious and blood-thirsty brother, could not fail 
to arouse the indignation of the Roman people. 
The whole city was thrown into excitement, 
and ever}^ one declared that nothing less could 
be done than to send an army into Africa to 



202 Eepublic op Eome. 

Interference of Eome— Commissioners sent Into Numidia. 

punish tlie base Jiigurtlia. But the base, and, 
at the same time, cunning Jugurtha, sent am- 
bassadors to Rome to justify his barbarous con- 
duct. And these ambassadors being loaded 
with immense sums of money, found it no very 
difficult task to convince the Senate and gran- 
dees of Rome that he was not, after all, such 
an abominable wretch as, at first sight, he 
might appear. The outcries of the people were 
hushed, and ten commissioners were sent into 
IsTumidia to efiect a reconciliation between Ju- 
gurtha and Adherbal. 

These commissioners, on their arrival, found 
Jugurtha to be one of the most hospitable and 
generous of mortals. He provided them with 
every thing that they could wish, and neglected 
not to bestow upon them gold and silver to 
their heart's content. In turn they pronounced 
him an excellent and much abused man ; and 
in settling the difficulty between him and Ad- 
herbal, contrived to give him the strongest 
cities and richest provinces, as a token of their 
great regard for the untold wealth which he 
evidently possessed. 

Having rid himself of these commissioners, 
Jugurtha began, at once, to prosecute his de- 
signs against Adherbal. In order, however, to 
have some little show of justice on his side, he 



JUGURTHINE WaR. 203 

The War continued— The Gold of Jugurtha. 

tried to provoke him to resentment, by com- 
mitting small depredations upon his frontiers. 
But Adhej'bal took no notice of these things, 
and Jugurtha finally entered his dominions at 
the head of a large army, and made himself 
master of most of his cities and provinces. 
There was now no other course for Adherbal — 
he must either fight or deliver himself up to 
his blood-thirsty enemy; and, accordingly, he 
levied a great army, at the head of which he 
undertook to drive Jugurtha from his kingdom. 
But Jugurtha, vastly his superior in the art of 
war, attacked him upon all sides, destroyed his 
troops, and endeavored to take possession of 
his person. Adherbal, however, made good 
his escape to Cirta, the capital of his dominions. 
To Cirta, also, Jugurtha hastened, determined 
upon Adherbal's death. He besieged the town ; 
he used every effort to obtain an entrance, and 
even swore that he would not leave its walls 
until his enemy was within his grasp. So des- 
perate, at last, became the position of the poor 
persecuted prince, that he was obliged to dis- 
patch messengers to Rome, to beg the people 
there to interfere and save his life. To Eome, 
however, Jugurtha had also hastened messen- 
gers, in the form of bags of gold ; and these, 
placed in the hands of his emissaries there, 



204 Eepublic of Rome. 

Adherbal's difficulty in obtaining Aid from Eome. 

contended with great effect against the messen- 
gei-s of Adherbal. The Romans scarcely knew 
which to choose, but finally the gold prevailed, 
and they contented themselves with sending 
three commissioners into Africa, who were in- 
structed to make peace, if possible, between 
the two Kumidian princes. 

But Jugurtha's gold succeeded in sending 
back these commissioners, soon after their ar- 
rival ; and his gold, also, prompted them to re- 
port in Rome that the affairs of Numidia were 
never in a more prosperous condition. Mean- 
while, Adherbal, driven to extremity, wrote a 
long account of his condition to the Roman Sen- 
ate, informing them how Jugurtha had bribed 
their commissioners, and imploring them, in 
the name of Masinissa, his grandfather, to save 
at least his life. " Dispose, as you please, of 
the kingdom of Numidia, but suffer me not to 
fall in the hands of a tyrant, and of the mur- 
derer of my family," said he. 

There were some honest men in the Senate, 
who had not been corrupted by the gold of 
Jugurtha, and who were of opinion that an 
army should be sent immediately into Africa 
to raise the siege of Cirta, and to punish this 
wicked man. But the number of these honest 
men was not great enough to prevail ; and 



JUGURTHINE WAR. 205 



Adherbal's murder— An Army sent into Numidia. 



nothing more was done than to send commis- 
sioners again into Kmnidia. Like those who 
had been sent before, they were easily seduced 
by the cunning Jugurtha, who bribed them to 
believe that his brother, Adherbal, had at- 
tempted to destroy him, and that it w^as only 
in self-defence that he had taken up arms against 
him. 

With this report the commissioners returned 
to Eome ; and Jugurtha, once more allowed to 
continue his persecution of Adherbal, pushed 
the siege of Cirta with so much vigor, that it 
was obliged to yield, and Adherbal fell into 
his hands. The poor prince demanded no other 
conditions but the preservation of his life, which 
Jugurtha promised him in the most solemn 
terms ; but no sooner had he entered the city, 
than he slaughtered all the Numidians, and put 
Adherbal to death by the most cruel tortures. 

The news of such an outrage could not be 
circulated in Rome without exciting univei-sal 
indisrnation. Those Senators who had suflered 
themselves to be bribed by the infamous Ju- 
gurtha, beginning to fear now that they might 
be accused as accessories to his crime, consent- 
ed to have an army sent into Africa to punish 
him as he deserved. The command of this 
army was given to L. Bestia Calpurnius, a man 



206 Eepublic of Eome. 

"War made upon Jugurtha. 

of sordid avarice, and to whom war was merely 
a trade, by wLicli to fill his coffers with gold. 
At his own solicitation he was furnished with 
officers whom he knew to be no better than 
himself; and by whose assistance, doubtless, 
he hoped to reap a golden harvest. 

Before, however, the army was ready to set 
out from Rome, Jugnrtha, informed of what 
was going on, sent thither an embassy plenti- 
fully provided with money. But he was mis- 
taken upon this occasion. It was impossible 
for the Senate to suffer his offences to go any 
longer unpunished. His ambassadors were or- 
dered to depart without even entering the city, 
unless they would consent to give up the king- 
dom of Numidia, as well as the person of Ju- 
gurtha himself. Unwilling to comply with 
such a demand, they accordingly retired ; and 
Calpurnius, embarking with his troops at Ehe- 
gium, entered the dominions of Jugurtha, and 
began a vigorous war. The course of his army 
was everywhere marked by the most dread- 
ful devastation. He formed sieges, plundered 
cities, and made prisoners. The terrified in- 
habitants fled in all directions at the simple 
mention of his name, and Jugurtha himself be- 
gan finally to fear that his empire was at an 
end. But what could he do ? His armies were 



JUGURTHINE WaR. 207 

The Koman General bribed by Jugurtha. 

insufficient to cope with the veteran troops of 
Rome, and he had no allies strong enough to 
enable him to make a determined resistance 
against his invaders. 

Jugurtha knew well enough what to do. 
Hitherto the Eomans had not been proof 
against the power of his gold, and his coflers 
were still amply provided with it. Confident 
that in this way he could drive them from his 
country, he sent emissaries to Calpurnius, with 
offers of large sums of money, if he would leave 
him alone in peace. Calpurnius was purchased 
easily ; and, in order to deceive the Roman 
Senate, pretended that the [N^umidian king had 
delivered up to him his towns, his horses, his 
elephants, and every thing that he possessed ; 
and for a time this was apparently the case. 
But so soon as the Roman army had left Nu- 
midia, Jugurtha entered again into possession 
of all his dominions, and even purchased of the 
base Calpurnius the horses and elephants which 
should have been retained for the service of 
Rome. 

It was not very long before the Roman peo- 
ple began to suspect that the treaty made be- 
tween Calpurnius and Jugui-tha was a perfect 
sham ; and when, at length, their suspicions 
were confirmed, the greatest indignation was 



208 Kepublic of Eome. 

Indignation of the People— Jugurtha sent for. 

manifested against the Senate. The Tribunes 
of the People complained in the bitterest terms. 
They declared, in the public assemblies, that 
there was no justice left among them — that 
money was the tyrant of Rome, and that the 
grandees and nobles had no other deities. 
"They tell us," said one of them, "that the 
JSTumidian has yielded himself up to the Re- 
public — that he has delivered up his places, 
his troops, and his elephants. Convince us of 
the truth of this assertion ; make Jugurtha 
come to Rome. If it be true that he has sub- 
mitted, he will obey your orders ; if not, you 
may easily judge that what they call a treaty 
is nothing but a collusion between that crafty 
prince and our generals — a treaty that has pro- 
duced nothing but impunity of his crimes to 
him, scandalous riches to those who were in- 
trusted with the Senate's commission, and an 
eternal dishonor to the Republic." 

It was impossible to prevent the people from 
sending for Jugurtha, and the prsetor Cassius 
was consequently dispatched to bring him to 
Rome. A less artful man would have proba- 
bly resisted any such proceeding, but Jugurtha, 
still counting upon the power of his gold, con- 
sented to go, on receiving the public faith as 
his safeguard. On reaching Rome, he gained 



JUGURTHINE WaR. 209 

More Corruption — Jugurtha sent Home. 

at once the Tribune Boebius, wbo managed to 
protect liim, but not without exposing himself 
to the charge of corruption. Lideed, the peo- 
ple became so provoked at this fresh instance 
of collusion, that they threatened to seize Ju- 
gurtha, and give his crown to another grandson 
of Masinissa, who, upon the death of Adherbal, 
had taken refuge in. Rome. Jugurtha, how- 
ever, put an end to such a plan as this by 
causing the assassination of his rival. But the 
murderer being taken, confessed that he had 
been employed by Jugurtha to commit the 
deed, whereupon this infamous wretch was 
commanded by the Senate to depart at once 
from Rome. Passing through the gate of the 
city, it is said that he looked back and ex- 
claimed : " O mercenary town ! thou wouldst 
quickly be enslaved, if a merchant were found 
but rich enough to buy thee !" 

Although the Romans were bound by their 
promise to suffer Jugurtha to return to his do- 
minions, yet they were determined to bring 
him back to Rome, and punish him for his ini- 
quity. The voice of the people was now raised 
against him, and it was publicly declared that 
he should never escape again. A large army, 
under the command of the consul Albinus, was 
accordingly sent into Mimidia, with orders to 

14 



210 Eepublic of Eome. 

Defeat of another Army sent against Jugurtha. 

make a vigorous war upon him, unless lie de- 
livered his person and kingdom up to the dis- 
posal of the Koman people. But Jugurtha 
found means to perplex and delay Albinus, to 
such a degree, that he actually accomplished 
nothing during the time that he remained in 
Africa ; and the season for holding the election 
in Rome having arrived, he was obliged to re- 
pair thither, and leave his army under the di- 
rection of his lieutenant, Aulus. This man 
possessed neither valor nor military knowl- 
edge ; and the crafty IS'umidian succeeded, 
without much difficulty, in drawing so poor a 
general into difficulty. Aulus was led, through 
his artifices, to conduct his army into narrow 
passes, whose avenues had been j)reviously 
secured, and then he was completely cut to 
pieces ; life and liberty being given to those 
who escaped the sword, only on condition that 
they should pass under the yoke — an ignomini- 
ous ceremonj^, by which the conquerors affixed 
an eternal shame to the defeat of the van- 
quished. Besides this, Jugurtha compelled 
Aulus and his principal officers to promise that 
the Romans should never again disturb him in 
the possession of the kingdom of Numidia. 

As soon as the Senate heard of this shameful 
treaty, they declared it void ; and recalling 



JUGURTHINE WaR. 211 

Another Army sent— Jugurtha defeated. 

Aulus, intrusted Metelhis, the consul elect, 
with the prosecution of the war. The new 
general, having collected a large supply of 
provisions and ammunition, set out for IS'umid- 
ia, accompanied by Caius Marius, whom the 
people had chosen as his lientenant. On arri- 
ving in Africa, Metellus received from Aulus 
the command of the Roman army, and march- 
ing at once against Jugurtha, he drove him to 
the very extremity of his dominions. Jugurtha 
was stripped of all his iTOops, and completely 
shut out of all his fortified towns. Nothing 
seemed left for him to do but to submit to 
whatever terms the Roman general should 
think fit to dictate to him, and he agreed ac- 
cordingly to pay to Metellus two hundred thou- 
sand pounds weight of silver ; to deliver uj^ all 
his elephants and a certain quantity of arms 
and horses; and to yield up all who had de- 
serted to his ranks. To these hard conditions 
Jugnrtha rendered a ready obedience; but 
when Metellus ordered him to repair, himself, 
to Tisidium for further directions, he began to 
hesitate, and spent several days without com- 
ing to any resolution. The fear of falling into 
the hands of the Romans, who would doubtless 
punish him for all his crimes, finally prevailed ; 
and he determined that he would not surrender 



212 Ee PUBLIC OF KOME. 

Trouble in the Eoman Army. 

as long as he could find a single soldier to help 
him fight. Accordingly he broke off all nego- 
tiations; gathered together new troops; forti- 
fied some small places that were still in his 
possession, and bid the Romans to take him if 
thej could. 

In the mean time trouble arose in the Ro- 
man camp. Caius Marius, the lieutenant of 
Metellus, and a very ambitious man, aspired 
to the supreme command. The better to attain 
the object of his wishes, he caused a report to 
be carried to Rome, that Metellus. was prolong- 
ing the war in Africa, in order to continue him- 
self in power ; and contrived also to have it 
circulated, that, if he was at the head of the ar- 
my, a single campaign alone would be sufficient 
to bring Jugurtha, dead or alive, to Rome. 

Hitherto the consulship had never been filled 
except by a patrician, and Marius belonging 
to the order of the plebeians, it seemed a very 
bold thing for him to aspire to this office. He 
found, however, friends enough in Rome to la- 
bor in his interest. A short time previous, 
then, to the election, word was sent to him in 
Africa, that there was little doubt of his receiv- 
ing the majority of the votes. As it was ne- 
cessary for him to be in Rome at the time of 
the election, he asked his discharge of Metel- 



JUGURTHINE WaR. 213 



Caius Marius made Consul. 



his, and received it, though not without a sharp 
rebuke for making such high pretensions. With- 
out appearing to be offended, he took his de- 
parture, and, notwithstanding the obstacles 
thrown in his way by the nobility, was, in due 
season, made consul and commander of the ar- 
mies of Rome. 

This was a great triumph for the common 
people ; and Marius himself boasted in pres- 
ence of the patricians, that the dignity he had 
obtained was a victory which the people had 
gained over the great, by means of his courage 
and valor. " By taking the command of the 
army out of the hands of the great," said he in 
a public assembly, "you have removed the 
chief obstacle that lay in the way of victory. 
It has been nothing but their ignorance in the 
military art, their presumption, and especially 
their scandalous avarice, that have drawn out 
the war to such a length already." 

With as little delay as possible, Marius pro- 
ceeded to raise new troops for the war in Afri- 
ca. Arriving in Numidia, he marched with 
the forces that accompanied him, to join those 
under Metellus. This great general, deeply 
mortified at being superseded by his late lieu- 
tenant, appointed one of his officers to deliver 
over his army to Marius, and then set out at 



214 Eepublic of Eome. 

Manns takes the Command in Numidia. 

once for Konie. A strong body of cavalry, un- 
der the command of Cornelius Sylla, soon after 
arrived in Africa ; and these, joining the forces 
tinder Marius, formed a large and x^owerful 
army. 

Previous to the arrival of Marius in Eome, 
Jugurtha had succeeded in securing the pro- 
tection and aid of a neighboring king, named 
Bocchus. Their united army presented a very 
formidable appearance, but Marius determined 
to attack them without delay. Taking, first, the 
great and populous city of Capsa, he began to 
form plans for destroying the army of Jugur- 
tha; but while thus engaged, the two kings 
marched privately upon him, and throwing the 
Eoman troops into the greatest consternation, 
slaughtered them by hundreds. Indeed they 
w^ould have gained a complete victory, had 
they known and improved the advantage which 
they, upon this occasion, acquired. 

Eecovering from his surprise, and rendered 
by this misfortune much more cautious, Marius 
collected his troops and once more made an ef- 
fort to meet and punish his crafty foe. Two 
decisive battles were soon after fought, and the 
two kings were sadly beaten in both. Bocchus 
became convinced that he had committed a 
great error in allying himself with Jugurtha 



JUGL'KTHINE War. 215 

Bocchus sends Ambassadors to Eome. 

against the Koman nation. Hoping, however, 
that he might yet save his crown, he sent am- 
bassadors to Eome, with instructions to signify 
to the Senate his regret at having engaged in 
the service of Jugm^tha. 

These ambassadors were received with great 
respect at Eome ; but in reply to their sohcita- 
tions they were answered in these words : " The 
Senate and Eoman people are not used to for- 
get either services or injuries ; however, since 
Bocchus repents of his fault they grant him 
their pardon. As to peace and alliance, he 
shall obtain them when he has deserved them 
by his actions." 

"What does this mean?" said Bocchus, in 
reply to these words, as they w^ere delivered to 
liim by the ambassador. "What would the 
Senate desire when they tell me, that I shall 
have peace and alliance after I have deserved 
them by my actions ? Go to the camp of Ma- 
rius, and bid him to send his qusestor hither." 

The quiestor, Sylla, was accordingly sent to 
the troubled king. " You have no other way," 
said Sylla to him, " of obtaining peace and al- 
liance, but by delivering Jugurtha to us ; and 
thus you will make amends for the imprudence 
of your first engagement." 

The proposal was not at all agreeable to 



216 Eepublic of Eome. 

Bocchus delivers Jugurtha to Sylla. 

Bocchus, who could not bear to be guilty of 
such a piece of treachery. He would not listen 
to it; and their interview ended. But Sylla 
came to see him again and again, and each 
time being more pressing, and more eloquent, 
Bocchus finally consented to yield up Jugurtha. 
The wi^etched prince was seized, loaded with 
chains, and given up to Sylla, who placed him 
in the hands of Marius. 

Messengers were at once dispatched to Eome 
to bear the joyful tidings, and, soon after, the 
conqueror of l^umidia followed with his vic- 
torious army. The gates of the city were flung 
wide open for his triumphal entry, and Jugur- 
tha, covered with chains, was dragged like a 
slave at the wheels of the chariot of Marius. 
In order to prevent his escape, he was taken at 
once to prison, where he was condemned to be 
starved to death. His royal robe was taken off 
by the executioner, as well as all the clothes 
which covered him, and then the miserable 
wretch was rudely pushed into the dungeon, 
destined to be his tomb. " Oh, Hercules, how 
cold are thy stoves!" he exclaimed, as the 
damp air struck upon his naked body; and 
thus, after struggling with hunger for six days, 
died a king who, to gratify his ambition, did 
not hesitate to commit the blackest crimes. 



MARIUS AND SYLIA. 

FROM 102 TO 86 B.C. 



Marius defeats the Barbarians — Marius in disfavor — He 
goes to Asia — Assassination of Drusus — "War of the Con- 
federates — Sylla sent against Mithridates — Contention be- 
tween Marius and Sylla — Sylla marches against his enemies 
at Rome — Marius and Sulpitius driven from the city — They 
are proscribed — Sulpitius slain — Cinna made Consul — He 
opposes the measures of Sylla — Stratagem of Cinna — His 
defeat — Deprived of his office — Complains to the army — 
The flight of Marius — His condemnation — His escape from 
death — He goes to Africa — His arrival at Carthage — He is 
invited to join Cinna — They threaten Rome — Cinna made 
Consul — Brutal conduct of Marius — ^Death of Marius. 




CAPTURE OF CAIUS MAEIUS, 



IX. 

MARIUS AND SYLLA. 



The rejoicings in Kome on account of the 
defeat and capture of Jngurtha, were very 
much marred by the disputes between the pa- 
ti'icians and plebeians, as to who was entitled 
to most honor for this achievement. The ple- 
beians maintained that the successful termina- 
tion of the war was due to Marius, the first 
consul chosen from their number ; and the pa- 
tricians contended that Marius might yet have 
been in Africa, if Sylla, a patrician, had not 
contrived to get possession of the person of Ju- 
gurtha. A great jealousy at once sprang up 
between these two distinguished soldiers, which 
resulted in a good deal of trouble and blood- 
shed. 

These contentions, however, gave place, for a 
while, to a general alarm created by the threat- 
ened invasion of a great multitude of barbari- 



222 Eepublic of Eome. 

Marius defeats the Barbarians. 

ans, known by the name of Teutones and Cim- 
bri, issuing from Chersonesus Cimbrica, now 
called Jutland. These barbarians, numbering 
more than three hundred thousand, had already 
overrun Gaul, and were making preparations 
to pass into Italy. The fear of such immense 
numbers of people, remarkable for their fierce- 
ness, smothered, of course, every thing like dis- 
cord among the citizens of Rome. The com- 
mon safety occupied their attention more than 
party strifes, and, with one accord, Marius was 
called to take command of the armies, in this 
time of trouble. Under his direction the Ro- 
man territory was ably defended. In one bat- 
tle, which lasted, as is said, two whole days, a 
hundred and forty thousand of the Teutones 
were slain ; and at another time, a hundred and 
twenty thousand of the Cimbri fell upon the 
field, besides sixty thousand that were taken 
prisoners. 

If Marius had been considered a great gen- 
eral before, he must, certainly, now be regard- 
ed as the first in the Roman Republic. Indeed 
his popularity was very great, but he was not 
so much admired for his virtues as Metellus, 
the general whom he had superseded in N'u- 
midia. This fact was to him a subject of deep 
mortification, and he therefore did every thing 



Marius and Sylla. 223 

Marius' jealousy of Metellus — Marius in disfavor. 

in his power to accomplish the downfall of his 
rival. Through the instrumentality of certain 
base men whom he had in his employ, he suc- 
ceeded in procuring the banishment of Metel- 
lus. But these men, who soon became known 
as the tools of his ambition, were detected in 
the commission of the grossest crimes; and 
when Marius was called upon to punish them, 
as they deserved, he did every thing in his 
power to facilitate their escape. The people 
were, very naturally, indignant at such conduct 
in their chief ruler ; and determining to take 
the matter in their own hands, pursued these 
persons Avith so much vigilance, that they were 
obliged, for safety, to smi-ender themselves to 
Marius, who secm-ed them against the attempts 
of their enemies. 

This only made the matter worse. The ser- 
vices which Marius had rendered to the State 
were all forgotten, by reason of this conspiracy 
with evil-doers. The people resolved that they 
would themselves have justice ; and surround- 
ing, therefore, the house in which he was pro- 
tecting these wicked men, they forced it open, 
and killed them with clubs and stones. Then 
turning upon Marius, they heaped upon him 
all sorts of accusations ; and, as a kind of pun- 
ishment, demanded the repeal of the sentence 



224 Ee PUBLIC OF EOME. 

Eeturn of Metellus — Marius goes to Asia. 

of banishment against Metellus. A public as- 
sembly was convened at once, and, by an al- 
most unanimous vote, Metellus was restored to 
the rights of citizenship. 

With as little delay as possible, the friends 
of this old and faithful general notified him of 
what had taken place ; and when intelligence 
arrived that he was on his way to Rome, the 
whole city went out to meet him, so that his 
return was, in fact, a triumph. But while this 
occasion filled every one wdtli joy, Marius alone 
was much dejected ; and, with as little delay 
as possible, leaving Eome, he embarked for 
Asia, under pretence of performing some sacri- 
fices which he had vowed during the war with 
the Teutones and Cimbri. It is said that his 
real object was to bring about a war between 
Eome and Mithridates, one of the most power- 
ful monarchs in the East. Without, however, 
accomplishing any thing, he returned to Eome, 
where, during a season of peace, and amid a 
number of young and gallant generals, he be- 
came in a short time little noticed. 

It was not long, however, before diflaculties 
arose in Eome, the results of which were, in a 
little while, felt throughout the whole extent of 
Italy. These difi&culties had their origin in the 
great privileges attached to the quality of a 



Marius and Sylla. 225 

DiflSculties in Eoine. 

Roman citizen. Every one entitled to this dis- 
tinction, wherever he might choose to dwell, 
had the right to give his vote in the election of 
magistrates and commanders, and was a sharer 
in the sovereignty of the State. It was, there- 
fore, quite natural that those nations that had 
submitted themselves to the commonwealth — 
that paid the taxes, and furnished the soldiers 
required of them — should seek to have some 
voice in the government which they were thus 
supporting. And, accordingly, when an oppor- 
tunity occurred, some of them demanded the 
rights and name of Koman citizens. Tliey 
maintained that they did more for the support 
and protection of Rome, than she and her ter- 
ritories did themselves ; and they urged that 
there was no justice in treating as mere sub- 
jects, those, who were, in every way, equals and 
fellow-citizens. 

The Tribune, Livius Drusus, took it upon 
himself to settle these difficulties, and to this 
end made several propositions, which were, 
however, exceedingly obnoxious to the Senate. 
Among them was a very large increase of their 
number, and the division of the public lands. 
But the proud senators disdained to have intru- 
ders thrust among them, and the very mention 
of Agrarian law was enough to raise a conspir- 

15 



226 Republic of Rome. 

War of the Confederates. 

acy against Dnisus. The Latins and other na- 
tions did all in their power to protect him, but 
notwithstanding this he was unable to escape 
the fury of his opposers, and was finally slain 
at the very door of his own house. 

The cruel assassination of a man who had 
labored to procure the rights of citizenship for 
the foreign subjects of the commonwealth, 
could not fail to arouse among them the great- 
est indignation ; and these people very natu- 
rally sought to obtain their rights by force of 
arms. This, it was, that gave rise to what is 
called the Social Wm\ or War of the Confed- 
erates. Deputies were sent from one city to 
another, and a league entered into between 
them, by which it was agreed that each district 
should furnish a certain proportion of arms and 
soldiers. They appointed also their most skil- 
ful generals to command their troops, and made 
the most rapid preparations for an attack upon 
Rome. But before commencing any acts of 
hostility, they sent ambassadors to the city, 
demanding, in the name of all the nations of 
Italy, to be recognized as Roman citizens. 

A demand made under such circumstances 
could not be granted ; and the Senate, even 
refusing to listen to their ambassadors, the 
Confederates promptly drew out their forces, 



Marius and Sylla. 227 

War of the Confederates. 

consisting of more than a hundred thousand 
men, with the determination to enforce their 
claims. With equal promptness, the Senate 
also raised an unusual number of legions, 
which, under the command of the two consuls, 
assisted by C. Marius, Cn. Pompeius, Corne- 
lius Sylla, and Licinus Crassus, took the field 
against the foe. Each of these pei*soris com- 
manded separate bodies, on account of the 
great number of places to which it was neces- 
sary for them to give attention at the same 
time ; and thus Rome had, in fact, a number 
of very large annies scattered over different 
parts of Italy. 

The spirit manifested on both sides seemed 
to be nearly the same. The one fought obsti- 
nately for their rights, and the other determined 
to resist to the last. Many were the bloody 
encounters between them, and many were the 
cities taken and retaken, without any apparent 
advantage to either. But, day by day, their 
forces were diminished and weakened to such 
a degree, that it became evident that, which- 
ever side was victorious, the commonwealth 
must be ruinously affected. Willing to pre- 
vent, if possible, an act of self-destruction, the 
Senate signified their determination to yield to 
the Confederates as much as was consistent with 



228 Republic of Rome. 

Marius falls in public Estimation. 

the dignity of the Roman name. The rights 
of citizenship were at first given to such as had 
not taken up arms ; then to those who offered 
first to lay them down ; and, finally, to the na- 
tions adjoining the Roman territories. ' In this 
way the fury of the enemies was allayed, and 
they, at length, becoming suspicious of one an- 
other, hastened to make their separate peace. 

When an end had been put to the war, the 
people, as a matter of course, began to talk 
over its incidents, and to bestow their praise, 
or their dispraise, according to the merits of 
the different officers who had been trusted with 
conducting it. The great reputation that had 
been heretofore sustained by Marius, suffered, 
for some reason, upon this occasion. Whether 
it was on account of the heaviness and slow- 
ness natural to advancing years, or because he 
had no opportunities to display his military 
talents, cannot be known; but certain it is, 
that he did very little for the glory of the Ro- 
man arms, while Sylla, his great rival, distin- 
guished himself by so many grand achieve- 
ments, that immediately after the conclusion of 
the war, the consulate was conferred upon him ; 
and, not long afterwards, he was made gover- 
nor of Asia Minor. 

About this time, Mithridates, the mightiest 



Marius and Sylla. 229 

Mithridates oflFeuds the Eoman People. 

prince of all the East, gave great offence to tlie 
Roman peoj^le, by making war npon, and con- 
quering several kingdoms in alliance witli them. 
And when the Senate sent to him a request 
that he would withdraw his forces from all the 
provinces under the protection of the common- 
wealth, he testified his contempt of their power 
and his resentment, by causing the murder of 
fifty thousand Romans, who, for the purpose of 
carrying on different kinds of traffic, had set- 
tled in the East. Not content with this, he 
even threatened Rome itself, and all Italy, with 
the powder of his arms. 

It was no common enemy that had now risen 
up against Rome. In every direction he had 
carried the terror of his name, and nation after 
nation had fallen a prey to his fearful arms. 
His armies were said to reckon more than two 
hundred and fifty thousand foot, and fifty thou- 
sand horse, with an infinite number of armed 
chariots ; and his seaports contained more than 
four hundred ships of war. But the resources 
of Rome were also vast ; and the Senate, trust- 
ing in the valor of its soldiei-s, and in the expe- 
rience of its generals, did not hesitate to enter 
the lists, even against a prince as powerful as 
Mithridates, and accordingly appointed Sylla 
to undertake the war. 



230 Eepublic of Eome. 

Jealousy of Marin s — ^Disturbances. 

So great an honor conferred upon a hated ri- 
val was a bitter thing for Marius, and he re- 
solved, if possible, to take it from him, and to 
have it bestowed npon himself. For this pur- 
pose he brought over to his own interest a 
Tribune of the people, named P. Sulpitius,*a 
bold and enterprising man, and an inveterate 
enemy of Sylla. By skilful management of 
their plans, these two pereons succeeded in 
rousing the allies of Eome against the Senate, 
and in inciting them to demand such an alter- 
ation of the laws, as would throw into their 
hands a degree of power which would enable 
them to defeat the purposes of the Senate. 
This met with instant opposition, and holy days 
were proclaimed, whereon it was not lawful to 
do business, in order that compliance with the 
demand might be peacefully deferred. But 
Sulpitius, without any regard for this procla- 
mation, summoned an assembly of the people, 
and sent to the consuls a bold request that the 
holy days should be revoked, in order that the 
people might give their votes upon the altera- 
tion of the law. This being refused, a great 
commotion arose, and the party of Sulpitius 
drawing their swords, much blood was spilled, 
and the son-in-law of Sylla was killed, while 
endeavoring to succor his father. Sylla, him- 



Makius and Sylla. 231 

Marius sparee the Life of Sylla. 

self, was pursued by his enemies, and com- 
pelled to take refuge in the house of Marius, 
which he happened to find open in his flight. 

It would now have been easy enough for 
Marius to free himself forever of his rival ; but 
he could not take the life of a man who had 
sought safety at his fireside ; still, he compelled 
him to return to the assembly, and declare the 
holy days abolished and repealed. But Sylla 
had no sooner done this, than he fled from the 
city, and placed himself at the head of those 
troops which he had commanded in the war of 
the Confederates, and which were to march 
under him against Mithridates. In the mean 
time, the holy days being repealed, Sulpitius 
procured the alteration of the law, and suc- 
ceeded also in causing the command of the ar- 
my to be taken away from Sylla and bestowed 
upon Marius. 

This was the beginning of a series of dis- 
turbances, in and about Rome, which might, 
with truth, be called a civil war. Marius, ap- 
pointed to the command of the army, now on 
its way against Mithridates, sent immediately 
some ofiicers of his party to take possession of 
it, until he could himself get ready to overtake 
it. Proceeding with all dispatch, these officers 
finally reached the camp of Sylla, to whom 



232 "Republic of Eome. 

Contention between Marius and Sylla. 

thej communicated tlieir message, requesting 
him to yield to them the command of the ar- 
my. But Sylla was not one of those men who 
tamely submit to the dictation of others. He 
bid the officers of Marius to go back to Rome, 
and tell their master to come and take the 
command himself, if he could. But these offi- 
cers becoming insolent, some of the soldiers of 
Sylla, who were standing by, fell upon them 
and slew them; and then, turning to their 
commander, besought him to lead them against 
his enemies at Rome, before taking them to 
Asia. 

The news of the slaughter of these officers 
having been carried to the city, Marius was so 
enraged, that he caused a number of the friends 
of Sylla to be put to death, and their houses to 
be plundered. This occasioned so much terror 
among others, that they fled with all haste to 
the distant camp, and thither carrying a report 
of what had taken place at home, created so 
much excitement, that Sylla determined to go 
back, at once, to Rome. This resolution caused 
a number to leave him, because they were un- 
willina^ to turn their arms ao^ainst their own 
country. Still these were, in comparison, so 
very few, that Sylla would not change his pur- 
pose ; but, on the contrary, hastened to put it 



Marius axd SyllA". 233 

Sylla marches against his Enemies at Eome. 

into execution. His colleague, Q. Pompeius, 
hearing of liis proceedings, set out from Rome 
to join him ; but while they were yet at some 
distance from the city, Marius and Sulpitius, 
who had no ai-my to oppose them, sent the prae- 
tors, Brutus and Servilius, to command Sylla 
to stop his march. 

The insolent manner in which these two men 
addressed the commander of the army, so ex- 
asperated the soldiers, that they fell upon them, 
broke the fasces and axes carried before them, 
and, tearing in pieces their purple gowns, 
would have killed them, if Sylla had not in- 
terfered. Seeing the praetors return to Rome 
in such a plight, Marius and Sulpitius became 
convinced tiiat it was useless to resist so power- 
ful and so bitter an enemy, and accordingly 
dispatched deputies to him, hoping, at least, to 
delay his march. When these deputies reached 
Sylla, they began, at once, to entreat him and 
his colleague, Pompeius, to suspend their anger, 
and to cause their troops to halt within five 
miles of Rome. " The Senate," said they, '' are 
in hopes of bringing about an accommodation, 
and wdll see you fully satisfied in this matter. 
Be contented to let your ti-oops rest until these 
difiiculties can be settled." 

Sylla perceiving, however, that the object of 



234 Kepublic of Eome. 

Sylla drives Marius and Sulpitius from the City. 

tlie deputies was simply to delay his progress 
until Marius could raise forces to meet him, 
made them believe that he accepted their pro- 
posals, and even directed his officers, in their 
presence, to mark out a camp. But as soon as 
the deputies had got out of sight, he sent his 
cavalry behind them, and, bringing on the re- 
mainder of his army with the greatest speed, 
arrived before the gates of Rome, while his 
enemies supposed him to be still far away. 

ITotw^thstanding the suddenness of Sylla's 
appearance, Marius and Sulpitius were par- 
tially prepared to oppose him ; but their resist- 
ance being very feeble, he entered the city 
sword in hand, and threatened to biu-n and 
raze it to the ground, if the people gave any 
aid or protection to Marius and Sulpitius. In 
consequence of this, these two men w^ere aban- 
doned by every one, and finally forced to fly 
from Rome. 

With an army of six legions at his command, 
it was no difficult matter for Sylla to convince 
the people that there were many things in the 
government of Rome that needed revision and 
correction, before order could again exist. Ac- 
cordingly, he abolished certain laws which gave 
the control of the elections into the hands of the 
people ; he took measures to prevent the con- 



Marius and Sylla. 235 

Marius and Sulpitius proscribed. 

tiniial speeches by which, as he declared, the 
Tribunes were wont to create seditions among 
tlie people ; and established a law which de- 
clared every citizen who had filled the Tribu- 
nate incapable of holding any other magistracy 
for the future. Redressing, in this manner, the 
wrongs which he thought had been sustained 
by the patricians, he turned his attention to re- 
venging his own private grievances, and, with 
as little delay as possible, caused the decree 
which gave the command of the army to Ma- 
rius to be repealed. Not content with this, he 
obtained articles of impeachment against him, 
as well as against his son ; also against Sulpitius 
and twelve of the principal senators, for having 
been authors of the last insurrection. These 
persons were all declared enemies of the Ro- 
man State. Rewards were set upon their heads ; 
they were interdicted water and fire, which 
meant all manner of subsistence and assistance 
from anybody; and throughout the city of 
Rome, and all the provinces of the State, the 
decree was proclaimed by sound of trumpet, 
ordaining that they should everywhere be pros- 
ecuted at the public charge, and be put to 
death as soon as they could be found. IN'or 
were any efforts spared to find them. By order 
of Sylla, troops were sent out in all directions 



236 Republic of Rome. 

Sulpitius slain — Cinna made Consul. 

to take them ; but none of tliem, except the 
Tribune Sulpitius, could be found. He was 
discovered in the. moors and marshes of Loren- 
tum, by some of Sylla's horsemen, who imme- 
diately cut off his head, and carrying it to 
Rome, nailed it to the rostrum. 

Such relentlessness on the part of Sylla be- 
gan, in time, to arouse bitter feelings towards 
him. The people charged him with cruelty; 
and the Senate murmured against his proscrip- 
tion of their colleagues, as if they were common 
thieves and vagabonds. Some became bold 
enough to say that he sought the death of a 
man more generous than himself; and that he 
had forgotten that he owed his life to Marius, 
who might easily have destroyed him, when he 
took refuge in his house. These reproaches did 
not escape Sylla, and he sought to overcome 
them by feigning, subsequently, a vast deal of 
moderation. Thus he testified no anger at the 
defeat of certain persons, whose election for cer- 
tain offices he had recommended, and even suf- 
fered his enemy, Cornelius Cinna, to be chosen 
consul the following year. 

Cinna, it is true, was his kinsman, and a 
patrician ; but he had devoted himself to the 
interest of the plebeians, and was consequently 
an opponent of the measures of Sylla. As soon, 



Marius and Sylla. 23T 

Cinna opposes the Measures of Sylla. 

therefore, as ]]e had entered upon the duties of 
his office, he declared that he would procure 
the repeal of all the laws of Sjlla, and even 
undertook, through the instrumentality of one 
of his creatui'es, to procm-e the impeachment of 
Sylla. But without deigning to give an answer 
to the charges made against him, Sylla left both 
the charges and his judges, and set out from 
Rome for his army, to make war against Mith- 
ridates. 

In order to maintain himself more firmly 
against Sylla. it was evident that Cinna must, 
if possible, bring about the recall of Marius. 
But the decree of his proscription was a very 
solemn thing, and the party of Sylla in Rome 
was so strong, that its reversal could not be ac- 
complished without some difficulty. To make 
sure of it, however, he gained the Confederates 
on his side, by promising to restore to them 
those rights of citizenship which Sylla had vir- 
tually taken away from them. In a secret way 
he notified them to assemble on a certain day, 
in large numbers, at Rome, Vvdth swords under 
their gowns, and at the same time appointed 
an assembly of the people, for the purpose of 
proposing a new law for their acceptance. 

When the day arrived, the Forum was so 
crowded with these Confederates, that the citi- 



238 Kepublic of Eome. 

stratagem of Cinna. 

zens themselves could scarcely find access to it. 
Cinna mounted the rostrum, and, in a long 
speech, set forth the claims of the Latins and 
Italians, and maintained, that the glory and in- 
terests of the commonwealth demanded that 
all the different nations of Italy should form 
but one body, and one State. He demanded 
also, that, as new citizens, they should receive 
places in the old tribes, as chance might deter- 
mine it ; and declared that this was the only 
way to preserve peace and union, and to in- 
crease the glory and terror of the Koman 
name. 

The Confederates, of course, received such a 
proposition with great applause, and loudly de- 
manded that a vote should be taken, in order to 
make it a law. But the ancient citizens and 
patricians opposed it strongly ; and from dis- 
putes they went rapidly to loud invectives and 
bitter accusations, when the Confederates final- 
ly drew their swords from beneath their gowns, 
and falling upon the ancient citizens, drove 
them from the Forum. Octavius, the colleague 
of Cinna, and a friend of Sylla, fearing that 
something like this might happen, had taken 
the precaution to have in readiness a large 
number of armed people. As soon, therefore, 
as the disturbance took place, he marched to- 



Marius and Sylla. 239 

Cinna leaves Rome — He is deprived of his OflBce. 

wards the Forum, and attacking the Latins, 
dispersed and pursued them, sword in hand, 
out of the gates of the city. 

Thus abandoned, Cinna had no other course 
but to leave Rome also ; and following, accord- 
ingly, the people w^hom he had invited thither, 
he visited successively their largest tow^ns, and 
endeavored to stir them up to revenge them- 
selves upon the Roman people. It was not 
very difficult for him to find, wherever he went, 
enough enemies to Rome. Most of the cities 
and towns resolved to unite in war upon their 
common foe, and he went zealously to work, 
raising men and money. 

In the mean time, the Senate, hearing of 
what he was doing, passed sentence upon him. 
They declared that he had forfeited his right 
as a citizen ; they dej)rived him of his office of 
consul, and elected Lucius Merula, a priest of 
Jupiter, in his stead. This increased the fury 
of the fiery Cinna, and, resolving upon the 
most desti'uctive measures against his enemies, 
he proceeded to Capua, where a large body of 
Roman soldiers was then stationed. The offi- 
cers and troops, ignorant of what had happened, 
were, of course, much surprised to see a consul 
appear among them without his lictors, fasces, 
and other tokens of dignity. "You see," said 



240 Kepublic of Rome. 

The Eoman Army at Capua receive him as Consul 

Cinna, addressing them, '' an unheard-of prece- 
dent of the Senate's tyranny. You had made 
me your consul ; the people of Eome had 
conferred that dignity on me by their votes ; 
and the Senate deprives me of it, without 
hearing what I can say for myself, and even 
without having consulted the people. I am 
stripped of the badges of my office, driven 
from the tribunal and the city, while you are 
thereby treated with contempt, and deprived 
of your liberties and your rights." Saying this, 
he tore his robe, called upon the gods for jus- 
tice, and threw himself upon the ground as if 
he was resolved to terminate his life. 

By this conduct Cinna succeeded in his 
scheme. The soldiers began to cry out against 
the tyranny of the Senate. They lifted the 
abused consul from the ground, restored to 
him the fasces, and, taking an oath of fidelity, 
acknowledged him as their consul and general. 
Thus the man so lately forced to fly from Rome 
became its formidable foe ; and the consuls, 
Octavius and Merula, were obliged, with all 
haste, to raise nev/ troops to oppose any pro- 
jects which he might have for the recovery oi 
his authority. In the mean time the party of 
Cinna increased daily in strength. Peo23le 
flocked to him continually from the city. 



Marius and Sylla. 241 

The Flight of Marius. 

Many, even of the senators, went to his camp, 
and it was reported that the renowned Caius 
Marins and his son were on their way to join 
him. 

This extraordinary man, after having been six 
times elevated to the consulship, and after having 
acquired the greatest glory for the arms of Kome, 
was compelled, on account of his many acts of 
tyranny and violence, to fly, at the age of seven- 
ty years, from his country, unattended even by 
a single friend or servant. Escaping through the 
gates of the city, he journeyed all day, on foot, 
with as much raj)idity as his great age would 
suffer him ; and, a price having been set upon 
his head, he often found it necessary to conceal 
himself- among rocks and caves, in order to pre- 
serve his life. Finding, near the close of the 
first day of his flight, that the soldiers of Sylla 
were just upon his track, he plunged into a dis- 
mal swamp, and, burying himself up to his 
neck in the sickening mud, there remained 
during the entire night. Trembling with the 
cold, and half dead with weariness, he left his 
hiding-]3lace at break of day, and stealthily 
pursuing his course towards the sea-coast, hoped 
that he might meet some vessel that would carry 
him away from Italy. He had not, however, 
proceeded very far before he encountered a 

16 



24:2 Eepublic of Rome. 

Marius taken — He is condemned to Death. 

party of persons from the city of Minturnse, 
who, perhaps, hearing of the reward that had 
been offered for his head, were out in search of 
him. Being easily recognized by some one 
among them who had often seen him, he was 
at once seized, and stripped of all his clothing. 
A rope was then placed aronnd his neck, and 
the poor old man was dragged along the road, 
amid the shouts of a rabble that soon gathered 
about his heels. In this condition he was car- 
ried into the city of Minturnse , and delivered 
up to the magistrates, who cast him immedi- 
ately into prison. 

After a short conference, these magistrates 
determined, agreeably to the edict of the Ro- 
man Senate, to put Marius to death, and ac- 
cordingly sent to his prison a public executioner, 
who was a Cimbrian by birth. Marius, on see- 
ing the man enter the prison sword in hand, 
easily guessed his errand, and drawing up 
his tall form to its utmost height, fixed upon 
him such a terrible look from beneath his 
shaggy brows, that the frightened Cimbrian 
stood transfixed upon the spot, " Thou barba- 
rian!" shouted the old Roman general, in a 
voice of thunder. "How darest thou come 
hither, sword in hand, to take the life of Caius 
Marius ? Begone, vile slave !" 



Marius and Sylla. 243 

lie escapes Death — Goes to AMca. 

The Cimbriaii, terrified by the voice as well 
as by the name of Marius, sprang through the 
prison door, and rushing into the presence of 
the magistrates, declared that it was not in his 
power to take the life of such a man. The ma- 
gistrates, seeing the frightened appearance of 
their executioner, concluded that the gods had 
interfered to save the life of Marius, and, with- 
out delay, proceeded to set him free. They 
even furnished him with a vessel, which car- 
ried him to the island of JEnaria, whence, 
learning that his son had taken refuge at the 
court of J^umidia, he determined to pass into 
Africa. A storm having arisen, he was obliged 
to put into one of the ports of Sicily, w^here he 
encountered further difficulty. He had scarce- 
ly set his foot upon the shore, when the Roman 
qusestor in command of that country, happen- 
ing to be upon the spot, recognized him and 
ordered him to be seized. A tumult at once 
arose between the officers of the quaestor and 
the men belonging to the vessel of Marius, 
which resulted in the loss of sixteen of the lat- 
ter. Marius himself escaped, and, a few days 
after, reaching the coast of Africa, landed near 
Carthage. 

In this ruined city he hoped to find, at last, 
a place of safety, especially as he had always 



2M Eepublic of Rome. 

Marius sitting upon the Euins of Carthage. 

been a friend to Sextilius, the governor of the 
province. He had not, however, been here 
long when a lictor api^roached him with orders 
from Sextilius, that he should depart, at once, 
from his government, nnder penalty of being 
prosecuted as an enemy of the Roman State. 
Overcome with grief that he, who had once 
been the master of the whole w^orld, conld not 
now find for himself, in any country upon the 
earth, a resting-place for his foot, he sat and 
gazed in the face of the lictor without offering 
a word in answer. Pressed, however, for a re- 
ply, he finally exclaimed : " Go and tell yom* 
master, that you have seen Caius Marius, ban- 
ished his native country, sitting upon the ruins 
of Carthage." 

But Marius did not wait to know what effect 
this warning, as to the uncertainty of fortune, 
might have upon the Roman governor. Rising 
from his humble seat, he went at once upon 
the vessel, which vras still at hand, and spent 
the ensuing winter in wandering along the 
coast of Africa, waiting the return of a servant 
whom he had dispatched to his son, who was 
in that country. To his great surjn'ise, young 
Marius himself returned, and together they 
sailed to the island Cercina, where they re- 
ceived information of the proceedings of Cinna. 



Makius and Sylla. 245 



Cinna invites Marius to join him. 



With as little delay as possible, Marius sent a 
messeuger to Cinna, offering to aid him in his 
intended attack upon Rome. In reply, Cinna 
disj^atched a letter addressed to him as procon- 
sul, and sent to him also lictors, and all the 
other insignia of that dignity. But Marius re- 
turning them all, as not agreeing with his pres- 
ent circumstances, set out for the camp of Cin- 
na in nothing but an old gown, and with his 
hair and beard rough and unshorn. 

The news soon flew to Rome, that Marius 
had returned to Italy w^th a design to render 
aid to Cinna ; and, immediately, more than 
'Q.ye hundred citizens went out to join him. 
Encouraged thus, he visited a number of the 
towns upon his route, and, by means of hand- 
some promises, induced great numbers of peo- 
ple to join his standard. Many also of the Ro- 
man soldiers, who had formerly been under 
him, came and offered their services ; so that 
in a short time his own army, added to that of 
Cinna, was thought sufficient to march against 
Rome. 

In the mean time, active preparations had 
been made for the defence of the city. The 
consul Octavius, did not, unfortunately, enjoy 
that popularity among his troops so necessary 
to the successful conduct of the afiairs of war. 



246 Kepublic of Eome. 

Eome threatened by Marius and Cinna. 

The Senate, therefore, in the absence of Sylla, 
who was far away in Asia, fighting against 
Mithridates, sent for Cecilius Metellus, a man 
of great courage and ability, then engaged in 
making war upon the Samnites. They wrote 
to Metellus, instructing him to bring back his 
.army to Rome, if he could make honorable 
conditions with the enemy; and, at the same 
time, charging him, in case he should not be 
able to do this, to leave it in care of his lieu- 
tenants and return himself. Through the man- 
agement of Marius, the Samnites refused to 
come to terms, and Metellus was consequently 
obliged to go to Rome alone. 

On his arrival, the soldiers of Octavius loud- 
ly demanded Metellus for their general, decla- 
ring that under him they would brave the 
greatest warrior that could be brought against 
them. But he refused, so decidedly, to listen 
to their seditious language, that many of them, 
ofi'ended, went over to Marius, who created 
still farther disorder in the city, by offering 
freedom to all the slaves who would join his 
army. Meantime, a great clamor arising among 
the people on account of the scarcity of food, 
the Senate were compelled to send deputies to 
Cinna, to make him some overtures of peace. 
But Cinna being unwilling to receive them, 



Marius and Sylla. 247 

Cinna restored to the Consulship. 

unless they acknowledged him as consul, they 
were forced to return to Rome. 

This was a very trying situation for the Sen- 
ate. On the one hand, the city was so closely 
besieged by the armies of Marius and Cinna, 
that no food could anywhere be procured. On 
the other hand, the appointment of Merula to 
the office of consul could not be repealed, and 
Cinna would grant relief only on condition that 
this office should be declared his own. Under 
such circumstances, it was impossible to do any 
thing ; but, w^ith great generosity, Merula came 
into the Senate, and voluntarily laid down the 
consulship. The Senate now sent deputies 
again to Cinna, inviting him to enter Rome, 
and assume the office of consul. Nothing was 
demanded of him but an oath, that he would 
put none of his fellows-citizens to death, except 
in accordance with the usual course of law. 
But this oath he would not take, although he 
promised that he would never give his consent 
to the death of any one. 

Every one in Rome was not, of course, satis- 
fied with these proceedings. Metellus chose to 
banish himself rather than acknowledge Cinna ; 
but the consul Octavius, whom Cinna had re- 
quested to leave the city, arrayed himself in 
his consular habit, and, placing himself on his 



248 Eepublic of Eome. 

Brutal conduct of Marius. 

tribunal, resolved to meet his fate. Cinna and 
Marius marclied to the gates, the former enter- 
ing with his gnards, while the latter, remaining 
ontside, refused to go in until the decree which 
]3roscribed him had been repealed by the peo- 
ple. It was, therefore, necessary to call an as- 
sembly of the tribes, but the vote had not been 
half taken, when the furious man burst into the 
town at the head of his lawless troops, and mur- 
dered every one that he could find of those 
whom he supposed to be his enemies. The 
consul Octavius was slain in his tribunal ; and 
Merula, knowing that he would meet a similar 
fate, opened his own veins and died. The 
whole city j^resented a dreadful sight. Blood 
flowed on every side, and the dead, both of the 
23atricians and tlie plebeians, lay unburied in 
the streets. The soldiers of Marius had orders 
to kill all those whose salute he did not return, 
so that his friends and officers were afraid to 
come into his presence. 

This bloodthirsty man was not, however, sat- 
isfied. He had not yet been able to lay his 
hand upon Sylla, on whom he longed, more 
than on all others, to vent his rage. This hate- 
ful rival was far away, fighting the battles of 
the Eepublic in distant lands. Still, the old 
monster sought to do him all the injury he 



Maeius and Sylla. 249 

Cinna and Marias made Consuls. 

could. He razed his house to the ground, con- 
fiscated his goods, and sought to slay his wife 
and children, who, however, fortunately es- 
caped his fury. By means of the power which 
he exercised over the Senate, he caused all the 
laws established during Sylla's consulship to 
be revoked, and also had this valiant soldier 
declared an enemy of the commonwealth. 

When the season for another election of con- 
suls again occurred, Cinna and Marius man- 
aged to be chosen to this high office ; but by 
this time news was brought that Sylla had put 
an end to the Mithridatic war, and that, hav- 
ing reduced the provinces, he was returning 
with a large army to Kome. The two consuls 
were naturally alarmed by this intelligence, for 
they would now have no ordinary leaders like 
Octavius and Merula to contend with, but a 
skilful general, who had formerly driven Ma- 
rius himself from his country, and who had 
recently maintained a successful war with one 
of the most powerful monarchs of the East. 
Marius especially was terribly disturbed. He 
had already experienced all the miseries of 
banishment and flight, and, old age now full 
upon him, he trembled at the thought of en- 
countering them again. So great was his anx- 
iety that he was unable to sleep either by day 



250 Republic of Rome. 

The Death of Marius. 

or night, and, unable any longer to endure it, 
he abandoned himself to excessive drinking. 
Although he might have found in this way 
a temporary relief for his harassed mind, he 
rapidly sank beneath it, and before the arrival 
of Sylla, fell into a pleuritic fever which termi- 
nated his wretched life. Thus, at the age of 
seventy years, died the unhappy Marius, who 
had been seven times consul of Rome, and 
who, had it not been for his execrable ambi- 
tion, might have won the admiration and grati- 
tude of his country. The news of his death 
was received with the greatest joy, and every 
Roman leaped as if a load of shackles had been 
stricken from his body. 



CIVIL WARS AND CONSPIRACIES. 



FROM 86 TO 62 B. C. 



MiTHRiDATES and Sylla — Sylla returns to Italy — His Con- 
test with young Marius — The Siege of Preneste — Telesinus 
attacks Rome — He is defeated by Sylla — Cruel Conduct of 
Sylla — His Usurpation of Power — His Abdication thereof — 
His Death and its Consequences — The Servile War — Defeat 
of Spartacus — Crassus and Pompey — Character of Catiline 
— His Conspiracy agauist Rome — Discovery of his Plans by 
Cicero — Means taken to defend the City — Cicero accuses 
Catiline before the Senate — Catiline leaves Rome — The 
Ambassadors of the Allobroges — Their betrayal of the Con- 
spirators — Defeat and Death of Catiline — Honor paid to 
Cicero. 



X. 

CIVIL WARS AND CONSPIRACIES. 



Many things conspired to delay Sylla in his 
return to Italy, and among them, especially, 
were the difficulties which he had in conclu- 
ding a peace with Mithridates, together with 
the annoyances thrown in his way by the army 
under the command of Valerius Flaccus, which 
was sent by Cimia into Asia against Mithridates, 
under pretence that the war which Sylla had 
made upon that ]3rince was disowned by the 
commonwealth. This army consisted of two 
legions ; but its leader, the consul Valerius, was 
a man of such a tyrannical and violent spirit, 
that his soldiers did not hesitate to second the 
ambitious designs of his lieutenant, Fimbria, 
who, immediately upon their arrival in Asia, 
aspired to the supreme command. Valerius 
was slain by the hand of Fimbria himself, and 
this base man at once took the place of the 



254 Kepublic of Eome. 

Mithridates and Sylla. 

general whom lie had sworn to follow and 
obey. 

Mithridates was not ignorant of what had 
taken place in Rome, and he knew well enough 
how anxious Sylla was to be at liberty to has- 
ten thither. In hopes, then, of securing terms 
more favorable to himself, he made use of ev- 
ery means to detain and wear out the Roman 
general. Different parties were intrusted with 
negotiating between the two great hostile lead- 
ers, and different terms were several times x)ro- 
posed, without coming to a satisfactory conclu- 
sion, until, finally, the j)atience of Sylla being 
exhausted, he spoke with so much fierceness to 
the ambassadors of Mithridates that they went 
terrified to their master, and advised him, if he 
valued his life and crown, to come speedily to 
terms with the fiery Roman. Mithridates then 
desired a personal interview with Sylla — be- 
cause, by making peace with him, he would 
not be free from the war which Fimbria was 
carrying on against him. 

To this interview Sylla readily agreed, and 
they met at Dardanum, a town of Troas. On 
approaching the Roman general, Mithridates 
held out his hand to him, in token of friend- 
ship ; but Sylla, drawing back, asked him 
whether he accepted of the peace upon the 



Civil Wars. 255 

Sylla, by Stratagem, gains the Army of Fimbria. 

conditions last proposed. The haughty mon- 
arch of the East was so confounded by the 
Superior haughtiness of the Roman general, 
that he could scarcely find words for utterance, 
and, like an abashed maiden, faintly murmured 
that he was willing to accept the terms. Upon 
this Sylla embraced him, and assured him that 
he would soon put Fimbria out of a condition 
to give him any further trouble. 

Faithful to his word, Sylla marched, without 
delay, against Fimbria, and pitched his camp 
close by that of his treacherous rival. With as 
little loss of time as possible, he sent him a 
summons to surrender up to him, as proconsul, 
the command which he had so basely obtained, 
without the consent of either the Senate or the 
Roman people. But Fimbria refused to com- 
ply with his request, and thereujDon both ap- 
plied themselves to the fortifying of their re- 
spective camps. The soldiers of both parties 
being, however, of the same nation, and chiefly 
of the same city, it was quite natural that, in a 
foreign land, they should be rather disposed 
to friendship than to hostility. Consequently, 
when they met, they saluted one another, and 
by degrees visited from camp to camp clan- 
destinely, until at length it was impossible to 
make them oppose each other in deadly battle. 



256 Eepublic of Eome. 

Sylla returns to Italy— Cn. Pompeius, 

Sylla knew how to take advantage of this. He 
instructed his own troops to encourage deser- 
tion from the camp of Fimbria, and, one day, 
this ridiculous general found himself all alone 
in the midst of his silent fortifications. Know- 
ing that Sylla would punish him for his murder 
of Valerius, he fled to Pergamus, and there run 
himself through with his own sword. 

With as much haste as possible, Sylla now 
set forward wdth his trooj)s for Rome, and after 
many and long journeys, both by sea and land, 
finally arrived in Italy. The two consuls, Cinna 
and Carbo, hearing of his approach, ordered 
young Marius to raise forces, and likewise re- 
quired the Samnites to assist them against their 
common enemy. It was the intention of Cinna 
to meet Sylla before he entered Italy, but a 
portion of his army refusing to go on board of 
the ships provided for their transportation, a 
tumult arose, during which a soldier, becoming 
enraged with Cinna, ran him through with his 
sword. 

On reaching Italy, the army of Sylla was 
much increased by handsome bodies of troops 
brought to him by Metellus Pius and Marcus 
Crassus ; but nothing gratified him more than 
the succors which he received from Cn. Pom- 
peius, afterwards surnamed the Great. The 



Civil AVars. 257 

Sylla wins the Army of Scipio. 

force brought to him by this young general, 
then only twenty-three years of age, consisted 
of three legions, which was truly a great addi- 
tion to the army of Sylla, then numbering only 
thirty thousand men, while his enemy counted 
two hundred thousand, under the command of 
fifteen general officers of great experience and 
courage. 

New accessions were thus daily made to the 
army of Sylla ; and when, one day, L. Scipio, 
one of the consuls, encamped very near him, 
he contrived, under some pretence, toprocm-e a 
short truce, during which his soldiers, as in the 
case of Fimbria, brought over to his standard 
a large number of the troops of Scipio. The 
whole matter was carried on so secretly that 
the consul himself suspected nothing, until he 
was arrested in his own tent by Sylla's soldiers, 
and carried to their general. His army was 
also much augmented through the aid of agents, 
whom he sent to the very foot of the Alps, in 
order to gain the Cisalpine Gauls. But young 
Marius, scarcely less active than he, procured, 
daily, large forces to oppose him ; and, among 
othei's, obtained of the Samnites forty thousand 
men, whom he placed under the command of 
Pontius Telesinus, the ablest warrior of their 
nation. Having been elected to the dignity of 
17 



258 Republic of Rome. 

Marius routed by Sylla, and besieged in Preneste. 

consul, and feeling himself ably supported, lie 
resolved to give Sylla battle, and accordingly, 
at the head of eighty cohorts, took the Held 
against hiin. The fight was long and bloody, 
and for a season seemed very doubtful, until 
the desertion of some of Marius's troops caused 
so much confusion that his whole army was 
broken up and put to flight, and he, himself, 
compelled to take refuge in Preneste, a well- 
fortified place close at hand. 

Imagining that he should conclude the war 
by capturing the general, Sylla at once pro- 
ceeded to invest Preneste. After causing lines, 
strengthened with redoubts, to be thrown up, 
ditches to be dug, and all the avenues to the 
place to be strongly guarded, he marched with 
a detachment towards Rome. Entering the 
city without any opposition, he called the peo- 
ple together, and having complained of the 
manner in which they had suffered themselves 
to be misled by his enemies, he sold the goods 
of Marius and his followers, and then returned 
to his army to endeavor, by the capture of Ma- 
rius, to terminate the war. 

The attention of all Italy was now directed 
tow^ards Preneste, where Marius, shut up, was 
trying to elude the grasp of Sylla. His im- 
mense armies, under the direction of skilful 



Civil Waks. 269 

Telesinus marches to Rome. 

generals, were striving to gain access to him at 
every point ; but the armies of Sylla, ever on 
the watch, constantly defeated all their plans, 
and battle after battle was fought, and thou- 
sands upon thousands were slain, without af- 
fording the least relief to Marius. Thus affairs 
continued, until only three of the great chief- 
tains of Marius, with but four legions of troops, 
remained to battle in his cause. These, joining 
Telesinus, general of the Samnites, resolved ob- 
stinately to continue the war. Designing to 
force the lines, Telesinus came forward, at the 
head of his sixty thousand troops. Sylla, send- 
ing Pompey to attack him in the rear, prepared 
to assault him vigorously in front ; but the cun- 
ning Samnite, taking advantage of the dark- 
ness, flew with all speed towards Rome ; and 
with so much eagerness did he pursue his 
march, that in the morning the van of his ar- 
my was seen from the hills about the city. 
The inhabitants, terrified by such a host of 
people, who, as they knew, held them in dead- 
liest hatred, flew to the gates, and, closing 
them, prepared to defend their walls. On- 
ward came Telesinus, concealing nothing of 
the evil which he intended towards a city hate- 
ful to all his nation. When close upon it, and 
ready for his operations, he walked through all 



260 Eepublic of Rome. 

Sylla opposes him. 

the ranks and lines of his army, exclaiming — 
*'We must cut down that forest where those 
ravenous wolves take shelter. Let fire and 
sword destroy all — spare nothing ; mankind 
can never be free as long as any Eomans re- 
main alive." 

The people, nnder the command of Appius 
Claudius, sustained nobly the attack of Telesi- 
nus. ISTo one hesitated to fight for their homes 
and property ; and, although Appius was killed 
in the early 23art of the engagement, they suc- 
ceeded in keeping off the Samnites, until Sylla 
should be able to come to their aid. This he 
did wdth all diligence. Telesinus met him 
near the city, and a battle for its possession 
at once ensued. It w^as a very bloody affair. 
Both armies fought with the courage of despe- 
ration. Yictory or death appeared to be the 
motto of every soldier on the field, and for a 
while the contest seemed extremely doubtful. 
At last the Samnites, gaining a considerable 
advantage over the troops of Sylla, pushed 
them so hard that several of his cohorts and 
entire legions gave way and fled. With sword 
in hand, Sylla endeavored to arrest them ; but 
the terror-stricken and disordered soldiers, giv- 
ing no heed to his commands, rushed into the 
gates of Rome. The inhabitants, fearing that 



Civil Wars. 261 

Telesinus overcome-Preneste surrenders^ 



the-Samnites would enter with them, stat, with 
all haste, the gates, and letting fall the port- 
cullis, killed a great nnmher of persons, and 
amonsthem several senators in Syllas army. 
All retreat being thus cut off to a large portion 
of his army, they were obliged to turn about 
and face the enemy, who were close upon them. 
But night coming on in the midst of the con- 
flict both parties were compelled to suspend, 
and' Sylla retired to his camp. He ascer- 
tained, however, that the left wing of his 
armv, under command of Crassus, had over- 
come the enemy, and covered the field with 
more than fifty thousand slain, among whom 
was Telesinus, the general of the Sammtes 
Eio-ht thousand were also taken prisoners; and 
the next day Sylla caused all these to be shot 
to death with darts. 

The inhabitants of Preneste, among whom 
Marius had taken refuge, opened their gates 
as soon as they heard of Sylla's victory, and 
Marius and a brother of Telesinus endeavored 
to escape by a subterraneous passage, but lail- 
i„a in their attempt, they killed each other, m 
order that they might not tall alive into the 
hands of the enemy. The people of the town 
were all put to death, except the women and 
the children; mid Sylla, finding his enemiea 



262 Kepublic of Eome. 

Cruel Conduct of Sylla. 

finally subdued, entered Rome at the head of 
his victorious troops. 

But the glory which Sylla had acquired in 
war was destined to be tarnished by the mon- 
strous acts of which he was author during the 
peace that followed. The remnant of the large 
armies that had opposed him, desirous of quar- 
ter, sent deputies to intercede with him. He re- 
plied, that he would spare all those who made 
themselves worthy of life by slaying their com- 
panions. These unfortunate men thereupon 
turned their arms against each other, and a 
terrible slaughter followed. Six thousand of 
them, however, escaped and came to Rome. 
Tliese, Sylla caused to be shut up in the Hip- 
podrome, and then sending his troops into the 
place, butchered them in cold blood. Soon 
after this, he proscribed eighty senators, six- 
teen hundred knights, and a large numxber of 
the richest citizens of Rome. For the murder 
of each of these, he offered a reward of two 
talents, and even paid the money to the very 
slaves for the assassination of their masters. 

But his cruelty was not limited to the party 
of Marius. He permitted his friends and offi- 
cers to revenge themselves upon all their pri- 
vate enemies, so that the streets of Rome con- 
tinually flowed with blood. No one was sure 



Civil Wars. 263 

He declares himself Perpetual Dictator. 

of living a single dav, and every one dreaded 
to encounter the glance of this cruel monster. 
One man, C. Metellus, was, however, coura- 
geous enough to rise up in the midst of the 
Senate, and ask Sylla to put a stop to the mis- 
ery of his fellow- citizens. "We do not ask 
you," said Metellus, " to forgive any of those 
whom you have resolved shall die ; but pray 
you to free us from an uncertainty woi-se than 
death itself, by letting us know^ whom you de- 
sign to spare." Sylla coolly replied, that he 
had not yet fixed upon the number of those 
whom he should allow to live; that he had 
proscribed such as his memory presented to 
him, and that he should continue to proscribe 
all that he could remember among his enemies. 
As if maddened by the sight of the torrents 
of blood which he had shed, he now began 
to proscribe whole towns and nations, slaying 
such as he pleased, and stripping the inhab- 
itants of their houses and lands, in order to 
reward the soldiers who assisted him in his 
work of death and desolation. He also de- 
clared himself perpetual Dictator, and thus 
changed, in fact, the government from a repub- 
lican to a kingly form. All the ancient laws 
were abrogated — new ones were created. He 
made himself master of the public treasures, 



264: Ee PUBLIC OF EOME. 

Eesigns voluntarily Ms Authority. 

and disposed, according to his pleasure, of all 
the estates and fortunes of his fellow-citizens. 
It is true that he suffered the Senate, and most 
of the principal officers to remain, but their 
authority was absolutely nothing, and the in- 
ducements to seek them were almost wholly 
taken away. 

But the most extraordinary thing concerning 
Sylla is yet to be related. Incredible as it may 
seem, this singular man, after having destroyed 
more than a hundred thousand of his fellow- 
citizens in the civil war ; after having caused 
the massacre of ninety senators and twenty-six 
hundred knights, went into the Forum, and, in 
the presence of the assembled people, took 
from his own person the emblems of his office, 
sent away his lictors, dismissed his guards, and 
voluntarily resigned the office which he had 
usm^ped, and which he might have long con- 
tinued to hold. It is natural to suppose that 
the fear of being torn to pieces by a deeply- 
injured people, would have deterred him from 
an act so bold as this. But his chief passion 
had been revenge, and this being at last satia- 
ted by the seas of blood which he had spilt, he 
cared for nothing more, not even power or life. 
The multitude were thunderstruck at what he 
did. They could not believe their eyes, and 



Civil Wars. 265 

Sylla's Death— His Epitaph. 

gazed with silence and awe upon him as he 
stepped down from his tribunal, and mingled, 
like a private man, among the peojDle, who, a 
moment before, bowed and trembled in his 
presence. And strange, too, as it may seem, 
this very prince of murderers walked forth 
alone into the open street, and proceeded with- 
out any molestation to his own house. It is 
said that one young man addressed to him 
some insulting language, which Sylla disdained 
to answer ; but the Romans, generally, deemed 
this act of abdication the last and greatest ef- 
fort of magnanimity and heroism. They never 
attempted to punish his murders, although he 
declared that he was ready and willing to be 
tried for, any of his deeds. Not long after this 
event Sylla died, in his own bed, as quietly as 
the most peaceful citizen of the commonwealth 
could have desired. A few days before his 
death he wi'ote his own epitaph, the substance 
of which was — "That nobody had ever out- 
done him, either in obliging his friends, or in 
persecuting his enemies." 

Dissensions and civil w^ars did not cease at 
the death of Sylla. The grave, indeed, had 
scarcely closed upon him, when the consul Lep- 
idus undertook to make himself the master of 
the government. To attain his object, it was 



Md Eepublic of Eome. 

Consequences of Sylla's Death. 

necessary to make himself the leader of a par- 
ty ; but as Pompey, Metellus, Crassus, and even 
his colleague, Catulus, were chiefs of the pa- 
trician side, in whose favor he had declared 
himself, he believed that he should be more 
successful by going over to the party of Marius, 
vi^hose leaders had been destroyed in the civil 
war. 

At the expiration of his consulate, being apr 
pointed to the government of Gallia Cisalpina^ 
he began at once to raise an army, and gained 
to his party the praetorians, Brutus and Per^ 
penna. Inviting the people of Rome, and es- 
pecially those belonging to the party of Marius^ 
to join him, he marched towards the city, with 
the fond hope that he should become another 
Sylla. But Catulus, at the head of the legions 
and of all the nobility, charged him with so 
much vigor, that his army was cut to pieces, 
and he himself compelled to fly. Mortified by 
his ill success, and sorely grieved by certain 
private matters, he died soon after, and with 
him his party fell. Brutus, one of his coadju- 
tors, having been overcome by Pompey, was 
assassinated a few days after by orders of that 
general ; and Perpenna, the remaining chief, 
thus finding himself at the head of thirty-two 
thousand men, marched into Spain, according 



Civil Wars. 267 

The Spanish War— The Servile War. 

to the example of Sertorius, a general of great 
fame, who yet maintained the party of Marius 
at Lusitania. 

The Senate, in order to preserve those prov- 
inces, sent Pompey, with a large army, against 
these two generals. A great many battles took 
place, without much advantage on either side, 
until the death of Sertorius, which was occa- 
sioned by the jealousy of Perpenna. This un- 
skilful general was then easily beaten by Pom- 
pey, who, ordering his head to be cut off, put 
an end to the Spanish war. 

In the mean time a very dangerous war 
had been excited in Rome by one Spartacus, 
a Thracian gladiator, who, with seventy com- 
rades, had escaped from imprisonment in Ca- 
pua. Plaving been joined by a multitude of 
runaway slaves and peasantry from the neigh- 
borhood, he fought and gained a number of 
considerable battles. Finding himself, finally, 
at the head of sixty thousand men, he occa- 
sioned so much alarm, that the two consuls 
were sent out with two legions to subdue him. 
These he succeeded in defeating, and, with his 
victorious troojDS, was on his way to Rome, 
when Crassus, at the head of a powerful army, 
went out to meet him. Reaching Spartacus 
near Rhegium, the Roman general surrounded 



268 Republic of Rome. 

, .. . : ' . ' 9 

Spartacus overcome — Crassus and Pompey. 

him with a ditch, six miles in length ; but Spar- 
tacus evaded him by night, and continued his 
march towards the city. Crassus, however, 
determined that he should not thus escape ; 
and following closely after, compelled him to 
engage, and finally overcame him after an ob- 
stinate conflict. Sixty thousand of his followers 
were slain, six thousand were taken prisoners, 
and he himself, it is said, fell, fighting on his 
knees upon a heap of fallen enemies. 

A large number of these troops of Sparta- 
cus escaping, fled into the neighboring moun- 
tains, where Pompey, on his return from Spain, 
met with, and easily defeated them. By this 
achievement he sought to raise his own glory, 
to the disparagement of Crassus ; and this, to- 
gether with other matters, was the cause of the 
jealousy which existed between them, when, 
subsequently, they were both elevated to the 
consulship. This jealousy was, however, the 
means of giving great pleasure to the people of 
Rome. Crassus, to win their aflection, gave 
•them an entertainment upon a thousand long, 
^and well-spread, tables. He also distributed 
corn enough to all the populace to maintain 
their families three whole months. Pompey, 
: on the other hand, to outdo Crassus, restored to 
-the Tribunes. all thevauthority of which they 



Civil Wars. 


269 


War with the Pirates— Catiline. 



had been deprived by Sjlla, and by this meas- 
ure made himself the idol of the people, who, 
during the war with the Pirates, which occurred 
soon after, conferred upon him such unlimited 
230wers, that he might easily have become sole 
sovereign of the commonwealth. 

The success which attended him in this war, 
was the reason for appointing him to the com- 
mand of the army that had been sent out 
against Mithridates ; and the decree that gave 
him this, gave him also the government ot 
Asia, and the superin tendency of the vast na- 
val power, with which he had subdued the 
Pirates. At the time of his departure. Pome, 
then the mistress of the world, seemed to be in 
the enjoyment of a profound peace. So far as 
external appearances could be an indication, 
union subsisted among her citizens, and an 
unusual prosperity in all her aifairs. But be- 
neath all this seeming tranquillity, a secret agi- 
tation was going on ; and new parties and new 
schemes were in process of formation, which 
could bring about nothing short of anarchy 
and despotism. 

At the head of one of these dangerous par- 
ties was Lucius Sergius Catiline, a descendant 
of an illustrious patrician family, and one of the 
ministei-s of the cruelty of Sylla, to wljose cause 



270 Kepublic of Rome. 

Character of Catiline. 

he had ever been devoted. Murder, rapine, 
and conflagration had been the first deeds and 
pleasures of this formidable man ; and, withal, 
he possessed such powers of dissimulation as 
enabled him to throw a veil over his horrid 
vices, and render himself agreeable to the just 
and good. Of the many terrible crimes which 
he is said to have committed, that of the mur- 
der of his wife and son may be regarded as 
a specimen of such as are not too disgusting to 
relate. 

At a time w^hen Eome had grown rich by 
the spoils of so many conquered nations ; when 
ambition, luxury, effeminacy, and all the vices 
inseparable from w^ealth were exerting their 
baneful influences, it is easy to imagine that a 
man like Catiline could find those who would 
be willing to second him in any plot which he 
might form, either against private or public in- 
terests. Indeed, there were hundreds of young 
men, who, having consumed the patrimony of 
their ancestors in extravagance and riotous liv- 
ing, were ready to do any thing which could 
relieve them from their enormous debts, and 
promote the gratification of their depraved de- 
sires. As they could, through the high offices 
of the State, find every facility to attain their 
wishes, they sought to fill them with persons o( 



Civil Waks. 271 

Conspiracy against the Government 

their own chaiacter. But being baffled in 
their efforts to do this, there were some of 
them who determined to assassinate the prin- 
cipal officers of the State, and seize upon the 
government. 

Catiline, foremost in every thing evil, was, 
of course, a prominent leader upon this occa- 
sion ; and, through the influence which he 
could use as a member of the Senate, he con- 
trived to draw into the plot a great number of 
senators, knights, and notable men, who, from 
diflferent motives, were willing to join him. 
Among these were Lentulus, an unprincipled 
man, who had been consul with Marius ; and 
Cethegus, formerly a Tribune of the People, 
whom he governed at his owti pleasure. So, 
also, in this great conspiracy, were many wo- 
men of the best families in Rome, as, for in- 
stance, Sempronia, so remarkable for her high 
birth, lively wit, undaunted courage, and in- 
comparable beauty. Indeed, as to numbers, it 
was sufficient for almost any purpose ; for in it 
were engaged all those Roman youth who had 
ruined themselves by their licentious courses, 
all those who aspired to posts in the govern- 
ment, and all those who desired to be revenged 
upon their too powerful enemies. To these, 
Catiline made the most extravagant promises, 



272 Eepublic of Kome. 

Discoveries made by Cicero. 

on condition that they would elevate him to 
supreme power. 

A conspiracy, in which so many were en- 
gaged, conld not remain secret for a great 
length of time. Sooner or later, some one 
must prove a traitor ; and, fortunately for the 
Koman people, it engaged the attention of such 
a man as Cicero. In a short time the whole 
city talked about it ; but nothing definite was 
known, except that Catiline was at the head of 
a large party, who were aiming at some great 
revolution in the government. Many supposed 
that it was only the overthrow of Cicero, who 
had been preferred to him for the consulship. 
But Cicero was better informed. From the 
moment that he discovered that there was a 
secret combination in the city, he made every 
effort to discover those who were engaged in it, 
and what were their designs. He ascertained 
their places of meeting, and finally succeeded 
in introducing spies among them, who reported 
faithfully to him all their proceedings. To his 
surprise and sorrow, he learned that it was the 
intention of the desperate men to set fire to the 
city in several places, and, during the confusion 
that would necessarily follow, to murder the 
chief men of the Senate in their very houses. 
It was also a part of their plan to cause the 



Civil Wars. 273 

Plans of the Conspirators. 

troops then under the command of JVIanlius to 
advance, in order to make themselves masters 
of Rome and of the government. 

While all this was going on, news was unex- 
pectedly brought that Pompey, having subdued 
Mithridates, was returning to Italy with a vic- 
torious army. This was sufiScient to throw Cat- 
iline and all his party into the utmost conster- 
nation. They were speedily called together at 
night, in a private part of M. Lecca's house. 
Various plans were suggested for carrying their 
purposes into immediate execution ; and finally 
it was resolved, on the night preceding the Sat- 
urnalia, to set fire to the city in a hundred dif- 
ferent places ; to cut the water-pipes, in order 
to prevent the extinguishment of the fire ; to 
murder the whole Senate, and to seize Poni- 
pey's children, and hold them as hostages 
against his power and resentment. Thereupon 
Catiline was to place himself at the head of 
the forces of Manlius, and settle his authority 
in the State. Cethegus, and a Roman knight 
named Cornelius, volunteered to go and stab 
Cicero in his own house. 

The correctness of this report being suflicient- 
ly established, on the following morning, by the 
appearance of Cethegus at Cicero's door, this 
prudent consul, at once, convened the Senate, 

18 



■274 Ee PUB Lie OF EOME. 

Means taken to defend the City. 

to whom he communicated the whole plot, sta- 
ting that he did not yet think it a proper timb 
to name the persons by whom he had been in- 
formed. So great, however, was the confidence 
reposed in his probity, that without asking him 
to prove his allegations, he and his colleague 
were fully empowered to use all means neces- 
sary to protect the commonwealth. 

Without delay, and as quietly as possible, 
the greatest preparations were made to defend 
the city. Guards were stationed in different 
parts to thwart the purposes of the incendiaries. 
Bodies of troops were raised and placed con- 
veniently for action, and every thing was done 
which the occasion seemed to require. Mean- 
while, a packet of letters, directed by some of 
the conspirators to different ihdividuals, falling 
into the hands of Crassus, was brought by him 
into the Senate and there opened and read. 
They contained the whole plan of the conspira- 
cy ; and the persons for whom they were in- 
tended, were warned, if they valued their lives, 
to depart at once from Rome. 

These letters produced a great sensation in 
the Senate ; and while they were deliberating 
upon them, Catiline walked in and took his 
seat, with an air as innocent as that worn by 
the most upright man among them. But this 



Civil Wars. 275 

Cicero accuses Catiline before the Senate. 

was more than Cicero could endure. Rising 
from the seat in which he was presiding over 
that august assembly, he fixed his eyes upon 
the guilty Catiline, and with that voice by 
which he was accustomed to astonish all who 
heard him, he exclaimed : 

" How long, O Catiline, dost thou design to 
abuse our patience ? How long are we yet to 
be the object of thy fury? How far dost thou 
intend to carry thy guilty audaciousness ? Dost 
thou not perceive, by the continual watch all 
over the city, by the terrified looks of the peo- 
ple, and by the angry countenance of the sen- 
ators, that thy pernicious designs are discov- 
ered ? Faithful eyes are upon all thy proceed- 
ings ; thou canst not hold any council so secret, 
but that I hear of it : I am present there my- 
self; I am present to thy very thoughts. Dost 
thou fancy that I am ignorant of what passed, 
last night, at M. Lecca's house? Didst thou 
not there distribute employments, and divide 
all Italy into shares with thy accomplices? 
Some are to take the field under the command 
of Manlius, and others to stay in the city, to 
fire it in a hundred difi'erent places at a time. 
During the disorder and tumult occasioned by 
BO general a fire, the consuls, and most of the 
senators, are to be massacred in their own 



2T6 Eepublic of Rome. 

CatilTEe attempts to answer Cicero. 

houses. The Senate, that august and sacred 
assembly, is informed of tlie most minute cir- 
cumstances of the plot ; yet does Catiline live ; 
not only lives, but is one among us, and looks 
on us as so many sacrifices. While I am now 
speaking, he is marking out those whom he de- 
signs for death ; yet we are so patient, or rather 
so weak, that we are less intent on. the method 
how to punish his crimes, than how we shall 
preserve ourselves from his fury." 

Catiline, rising with a sneer upon his face, 
begged the Senate that they would not listen 
to the invectives of this enemy and low-born 
iipstart, who, for the sake of getting for himself 
a name, could thus injure a high-born senator, 
by such unmitigated lies. But he was not al- 
lowed much time to speak. His guilt was al- 
ready too apparent to be denied, and he was 
forced to stop in his harangue by a general 
murmuring, which finally broke out in loud 
and repeated accusations against him as an in- 
cendiary, a parricide, and an enemy of his 
country. His face pale with anger, and his 
eyes flashing with rage, he rushed from the 
senate- chamber, crying out, that, since they 
had provoked him to the utmost, he would not 
fall alone, but would involve in his own fate 
those who had sought his ruin. 



Civil Wars. 2?T. 

Catiline leaves Rome — The Allobroges. 

Calling together Lentiilus, Cethegns, and 
some of the other conspirators, he informed 
them of what had happened, and, nrging them 
to lose no time in putting Cicero to death, he 
put himself at the head of three hnndred armed 
men, and went directly to the camp of Manlius. 
Lentuliis and the other chiefs set to work, in 
the mean time, to draw into their plot the am- 
bassadors of the Allobroges who were then in 
Rome, making vain efforts to procure the dis- 
charge of their nation from the enormous taxes 
which they owed to the Roman State. The 
conspirators told these ambassadors that if they 
would join Catiline, every surety would be giv- 
en them of a general discharge of their debts. 

The ambassadors listened with attention to 
these proposals, but concluded, upon consulting 
together, that they would gain more in the end 
by making a revelation of this scheme to the 
Senate. Going therefore to Cicero, they ob- 
tained all the promises that they could desire, 
and then returning to the conspirators, pretend- 
ed to accept their offers, and received a written 
agi-eement from them signed by Lentulus and 
the principal chiefs of Catiline. With this, re- 
tracing their steps to Cicero, they informed 
him that on the following night they should 
proceed, under an escort, to the camp of Cati- 



278 Republic of Kg me. 

Conspirators betrayed by the AUobroges. 

line, with letters to him containing the plan of 
the conspiracy. Acting np on this information, 
Cicero sent a sufficient nnmber of armed men 
to intercept these AUobroges ; and, having 
seized the papers in their possession, he was 
furnished with all the evidence necessary for 
causing the immediate arrest of Lentulus, Ce- 
thegus, and other prominent coadjutors of Cat- 
iline. 

The Senate was at once convened ; and the 
conspirators, being convicted by their own hand- 
writing, were severally carried to separate pris- 
ons. In order to prevent the possibility of 
their escape, Cicero determined that the Sen- 
ate should decide, at once, concerning them. 
Each senator being accordingly asked to give 
his opinion, the conspirators were condemned 
to death by the consent of all except Julius 
Caesar, who made a long speech in favor of 
sparing their lives until Catiline should be van- 
quished. Sentence of death was pronounced 
ujDon them, and without waiting for its confir- 
mation by an assembly of the people, Cicero 
caused them to be executed within an hour af- 
terwards. 

The news of their death fell like a thunder- 
bolt, scattering the multitude of their accom- 
plices still in the city ; and when it reached 



Civil Wars. 279 

The L»estruction of the Conspirators. 

the camp of Catiline, many persons who had 
been attracted to his standard by the hope of 
plunder, fled in the utmost terror. But, in no- 
wise daunted, the bold conspirator made new 
levies of troops, and only seemed more eager 
to drink the blood of his countrymen. 

Defeated in the plan which he had formed 
for taking possession of Home, he determined 
to pass over into Gaul. But in this he was also 
disappointed. A powerful army was sent out 
to cut off his retreat ; and, finding himself soon 
surrounde-d by his foes, he was compelled to 
come to battle. The fight was long and obsti- 
nate. The soldiers of Catiline knew that they 
must either conquer or die, and accordingly 
they neither gave nor asked quarter. As an 
inevitable consequence, they were all slain 
upon the field ; and Catiline himself was killed 
as he stood fighting upon a heap of his fallen 
enemies. 

When it was known from how dangerous a 
plot the city had been saved through the un- 
wearied efibrts of Cicero, nothing could exceed 
the praise bestowed upon him by all the citi- 
zens. His house was surrounded by people 
who came to do him honor. Even the women 
put lights in their windows in token of their 
gi'atitude. Almost ready to worship him, every 



280 Kepublic of Eomk. 

Honor paid to Cicero. 

one declared that he was the second founder 
of Rome and the father of his country. And, 
without doubt, he merited the character given 
to him by the Emperor Augustus, in these 
words : " He was a good citizen, who loved his 
country sincerely." 



JULIUS C^SAR 



FROM 62 TO 85 B. 0. 



PoMPEY and Csesar — Cunning of Caesar — His Ill-treatment 
of Cicero — His Conquests — His Love of Money — Jealousy of 
Pompey — Pompey made Consul — Caesar demands the same 
Office and fails — He threatens Rome, and is declared the En- 
emy of the Commonwealth — He marches against the City — 
Defeats Pompey — Is made Consul and Dictator — Urged to 
assume the Title of King — Conspiracy formed against him — 
His Assassination — Its Consequences — Marc Antony — Cae- 
sar's Will — Antony's Oration — Octavius returns to Rome — 
Antony's Jealousy — Octavius' Success — He is made Consul 
— The Conspirators proscribed — Octavius and Antony recon- 
ciled—The Triumviri— The Battle of Philippi— The End of 
the Commonwealth. 




ASSASSINATIOX OF JULIUS C^SAR. 



XL 

JULIUS C^SAR. 



Beyond the mere name of a Eepublic, the 
government of Eome had by this time little 
enough to boast. The whole administration 
was limited to a few noble families, who passed 
the consular dignity about to one another as 
they pleased. The sovereignty of the people 
was almost gone ; and, except in a very few 
men like Cato, Cicero, and Catullus, there was 
little honesty or patriotism to be found in any 
one. 

Two remarkable men were at this time divi- 
ding the attention of the whole Roman people. 
One of them was Cneus Pompey, an illustrious 
general, who had won laurels in every part of 
the known world, and who, in consideration of 
his splendid achievements, had received the 
surname of Magnus (Great). He was a man 
of untainted morals, kind, mild, and humane ; 



286 Republic of Rome. 

Pompey and Csosar. 

and, if he was not possessed of true patriotism, 
lie had not any of that ambition which may 
lead one to become a destroyer of freedom. 
That any one should pretend to an equal share 
of the glory which he had acquired was highly 
offensive to him ; and this was, doubtless, the 
cause of the enmity which sprang up between 
him and Julius Csesar, a general of undoubted 
valor, exalted courage, and wonderful ability. 
It could not be otherwise than that two parties 
should spring up in the commonwealth, led 
respectively by these two illustrious rivals. 
Pompey, who was at the head of the Senate, 
drew after him, naturally, those who sympa- 
thized with the nobility of Eome ; and Csesar, 
who could be first in no other position, under- 
took to revive the party of Marius, which was 
really that of the plebeians. Having been 
publicly impeached for causing the statue of 
Marius to be secretly placed in the capitol, he 
defended himself with so much eloquence, that 
he not only secured his own absolution, but 
also procured the recall of those who had been 
banished during the dictatorship of Sylla. 

Pompey did not, however, share the undivi- 
ded favor of the Senate. In the wealthy and 
ambitious Crassus, he had an enemy knd a ri- 
val in the government, dreaded, at first, even 



Julius C^sar. 287 

Cunning of Oaesar — Hie increasing Power. 

more than Caesar ; so tliat while he had to con- 
tend against the growing popularity of the lat- 
ter, he was also obliged to guard against being 
supplanted by the former. But Caesar, a man 
of far more shrewdness than either, knew that 
his success depended upon diverting their at- 
tention from him, and causing as much mutual 
dread as possible between them. So well did 
he succeed in this, that he obtained, through 
their united influence, the consulate; but he 
had no sooner arrived to this dignity, than he 
managed, by a master-piece of cunning, to cre- 
ate an enmity between Pompey and the Sen- 
ate, and between the Senate and the people. 
This he contrived to do by undertaking to re- 
vive the Agrarian law, which Pompey and 
Crassus consented to advocate, and which their 
respective friends in the Senate could not fail 
to oppose. The passage of the lav/ was ]3ro- 
cured ; but Caesar alone gained the applauses 
of the people for whose benefit it was made. 

Thus Pompey, distrusted and cast out by his 
patrician friends, became, in a measure, de- 
pendent upon his rival Caesar, who, knowing 
too well the importance of keeping him quiet, 
obtained for him the government of both Spains, 
while he gave that of Syria to Crassus, and at 
the same time secured for himself the govern- 



288 Eepublic of Eomje. 



His Ill-treatment of Cicero. 



ment of Illyricum and Gaul for the space of 
five years. So j)owerfal, indeed, did he be- 
come, that he was able to use force towards his 
enemies and all those who dared to oppose 
him. Cato, at his command, was pnt under 
arrest ; and Bibnlus, his colleague in the con- 
sulship, was driven out of the Forum by the 
people ; his fasces were broken, his lictors beat- 
en, and he himself forced to lie a long time 
concealed in order to save his life. The great 
Lucnllus, who had so gloriously conquered the 
powerful Mithridates, was compelled to fall at 
Gagsar's feet in a full assembly, and then to re- 
tire from public business. Nor did Ggesar 
even hesitate to unite himself with the infa- 
mous Glodius in order to ruin the great and 
good Gicero, whom, for a frivolous reason, he 
caused to be impeached before an assembly of 
the people ; and when this excellent man found 
himself abandoned by all his former fnends, 
now the creatures of Caesar, he quitted Rome 
b}^ night, and retired into Greece. His houses, 
both in the city and country, were immediate- 
ly razed to the ground, and his goods sold at 
auction by the common ofiicei-s of the law\ 

Caesar, on going to take possession of the 
government of Gallia Cisalpina, which, at the 
close pf his consulship, he chose for himself, 



Julius C^sar. 289 

Hi8 Conquests. 

Bet out at the head of an immense army, with 
the intention of conquering the whole country, 
in hopes that he should thus be furnished with 
great treasures. The vast number of battles 
which he fought during this absence of ten 
years from Rome, and the splendid victories 
which he achieved, raised him to the highest 
rank among the captains of the Roman people. 
The Helvetians, after the most obstinate fight- 
ing, were driven by him into their mountains ; 
the Belgians were subjected to his authority. 
In short, he conquered all Gaul, and then, cross- 
ing the sea, set up his standard in Great Brit- 
ain. Eight hundred cities are said to have 
yielded either to the force, or terror, of his 
Arms. Three hundred different nations sub- 
mitted to his laws; and of three millions of 
men whom he defeated in battle, one million 
were slain and another million taken prisoners. 
But with so many brilliant achievements, he 
w^as guilty of a thousand disgraceful acts. His 
immoderate ambition and insatiable desire of 
acquiring riches, caused him to set a price 
upon every thing which could bring him mon- 
ey. Places, governments, wars, alliances, all 
had their value in gold ; and the very temples 
of the gods, and the lands of the Roman allies, 
were compelled to pour their treasures at his 

19 



290 Eepublic of Rome. 

His Love of Money — He acquires Friends. 

feet. But the splendor of his victories, and the 
gratitude and love of his well-paid countrymen, 
united to give to his robberies the name of 
great political actions; and the gods them- 
selves were thanked in solemn form for the 
sacrileges which he had successfully committed 
against them. 

It is not strange that Caesar should love 
money, for, certainly, no man better under- 
stood its value. With it, he, no doubt, pur- 
chased a great deal of that strong attachment 
which his soldiers testified for him, and to 
which he was chiefly indebted for his extraor- 
dinary success. Their fortunes depended upon 
his own, and he never failed to reward them 
generously from the treasures which they ena- 
bled him to accumulate. With an eye ever 
upon the future, he assigned lands and posses- 
sions to those who served him with most fidel- 
ity. He paid the debts of his principal officers j 
and caused all to regard him as an honest stew- 
ard, intrusted with riches ever at their com- 
mand, while faithful and valorous in the dis- 
charge of their duties. But his soldiers and 
officere were not the sole recipients of his 
boundless wealth. The Senate itself was in his 
pay, and the chief offices in the commonwealth 
were the purchased possessions of his creatures. 



Julius Caesar. 291 

Jealousy of Pompey — Pompey made Consul. 

The growing influence of Csesar could not 
fail to attract tLe attention of his rival Pompey, 
who blushed at the thought that he had been 
outdone by a man to whom he had ever sup- 
posed himself superior. Crassus, who had al- 
ways held the balance of power in his own 
hands, was no longer living ; and now it was 
evident that a struggle for supremacy must 
soon ensue between these two leaders of the 
Homan people. Though still at the head of 
his government in Gaul, Caesar was able to 
carry on his operations in the centre of Kome. 
His candidates for office came openly with 
money in their hands to purchase, but were 
very often beaten back by force and violence. 
So dreadful were these disputes, on some oc- 
casions, that no elections could be held, and 
Rome was actually, at one time, during eight 
months, deprived of magistrates. Pompey, 
doubtless, did his share in causing this confu- 
sion ; and his friends took the opportunity to 
declare that such a state of things demanded 
the immediate creation of a Dictator,^nd, at 
the same time, shrewdly named him for the 
office. The wise and good Cato, fearing for 
the safety of the Republic, declaimed loudly 
against such a course, and, at his suggestion, 
Pompey was simply clothed with the power of 



S92 Eepublic of Kome. 

Caesar demands the OflBce — His Failure. 

sole consul, amenable to the people for all his 
actions on the expiration of his office. 

Cgesar, taking advantage of a precedent thus 
established, demanded, in his turn, to be made 
sole consul, and likewise the continuation of 
his governments abroad. But his proposition 
was opposed by the adherents of Pompey, on 
the ground that custom required a candidate 
for the consulship to be present, in person, at 
Rome during the time of an election. The 
office was consequently conferred on Marcellus 
and Lentulus, two of the most prominent of 
Pompey's friends. Pompey himself madeno 
open opposition to Csesar ; but, as he began to 
feel some dread of the fortune and valor of tMs 
great commander, he tried, in a secret manner, 
to deprive him of his government of Gaul. 
Measures were concerted with the Senate to 
appoint some one as his successor, and every 
thing possible was done to bring it about. 

In the mean time, Csesar, not ignorant of 
what was going on at home, wrote several 
times'^ the Senate, requiring that they should 
either continue him in his government,; or allow 
him to be a candidate for the consulate, not- 
withstanding his absence from Rome. But his 
opponents succeeding in opposing his demands, 
he passed the Alps at the head of one of his 



Julius C^sar. 293 

He threatens Eotn«»— Is declared an Enemy. 

trusty legions, and halted at Kavenna. From 
this j)lace he sent to the Senate one of his lieu- 
tenants, intrusted with letters, in which, rela- 
ting in a lofty manner all his exploits, he de- 
dared that, if justice was not done him, he 
would, in a few days, visit Eome, for the pur- 
pose of revenging his private injuries, as well 
as those suffered by his country. 

This threat roused the whole Senate against 
him ; and, appointing Lucius Domitius his suc- 
cessor in Gaul, they passed a decree that he 
should be prosecuted as an enemy of the com- 
monwealth. Mark Antony, Curio, and Cas- 
sius, by virtue of their office as Tribunes, op- 
posed earnestly this decree ; but being driven 
forcibly out of the Senate, they went in all 
haste, disguised, to the camp of Caesar. 

Thus, again, the commonwealth was divided 
against itself, through the ambition of tw^o men, 
who sought to subserve their own private in- 
terests, by pretending to take up arms in de- 
fence of the laws and liberty. It is true that 
Pompey had upon his side a greater appear- 
ance of justice, and that he was commissioned 
by the authorities of Rome to oppose Csesar in 
their behalf; but Caesar had upon his side the 
affections of the people, and he was, moreover, 
most powerful and most secure. It was, how- 



294 Republic of Rome. 

Cffisar marches against Rome. 

ever, with great reluctance that he resolved 
to march against his fellow-countrymen ; and 
when he reached the river Rubicon, which di- 
vided his own government from the rest of 
Italy, he hesitated for some time, in view of 
the ruin which must certainly fall upon Rome 
if he passed over the little stream. " If I defer 
any longer the crossing of this river," said he 
to those about him, " I am undone ; and if I 
do cross it, how many people shall I make 
wretched !" But it being, after all, more diffi- 
cult for him to endure his own injuries unre- 
venged than to see his country all in desola- 
tion, he plunged into the river at the head of 
his troops, and crossing it, exclaimed—" It is 
done : the die is cast !" 

With the rapidity which always character- 
ized the movements of this w^onderfiu soldier, 
he marched directly to Rimini, ^nd made 
himself master of the place. The news of 
this achievement fell like a thunderbolt upon 
Rome. Already they fancied that his victo- 
rious legions w^ere at their very gates ; and 
Pompey, the two consuls, and a large number 
of senators, finding themselves entirely without 
troops, fled in terror from the city, leaving 
their wives and children to the mercy of their 
enemy. Onward came the victorious general. 



Julius Cesar. '295 



His Pursuit of Pompcy. 



^^T'^^^^T^be defenceless city opened to 
receive him, and its immense trea-sures were 
seized, and divided among his faithful foUow- 
ers. Then began his terrible pnrsmt of Pom- 
pey, whom he seemed determined to hunt, witn 
all his adherents, from every lurking-place upon 
the earth. He chased him from one part of 
Italy to another; subjected, mthin two months, 
every inch of its territory to his authority ; then 
following his rival into Greece, finally met him, 
surrounded by an immense army on the plams 
of Pharsalia, where, falling upon his troops 
with a terrible slaughter, and even sacking his 
camp, he compelled him to fly for his life, on 
foot, and in a pitiful disguise. And at mght, 
the great Pompey, who, for thirty-four years, 
had been used to conquer and carry all before 
him, was obliged to sleep in the miserable 
cabin of a fisherman. 

Wandering from one place to another, he 
was finally induced to proceed to Egypt, where 
he was promised a favorable reception from 
the young Ptolemy, whose father had received 
benefits at his hands. But the base ministers 
of this youthful king, hearing of his approach, 
determined to seize and put him to death. On 
his arrival, a boat was sent from the shore to 
bring him from the vessel. Embracing his 



296 Eepublic of Rome. 

Death of Pompey — Csesar Consul. 

wife and son, who had accompanied him, he 
stepped into it, thongh not without some fear 
of treachery; and, before reaching the land, 
he was shamefully murdered, and his headless 
body was left naked upon the beach. 

The death of Pompey completed the fall of 
all his party, and Csssar thus became the mas- 
ter of the world. On his return to Rome, he 
was appointed, by a decree of the Senate, con- 
sul for ten years, and perpetual Dictator. The 
name of ImjiyeTator was given to him, together 
with the august title of Father of his Country; 
and his person was declared sacred and invio- 
lable. Every honor and dignity, in fact, were 
heaped upon him, so that nothing but the title 
was wanting to make him a king. This he 
would have unhesitatingly assumed, had he not 
known the hatred in which the Romans held 
the name. But his assumption of this title was 
precisely what his secret enemies desired ; and 
the senators who had conferred so many honors 
on him, sought thereby only to render him 
odious, in order that they might the sooner 
bring about his ruin. He was even urged to 
place upon his head the crown ; and when he 
was preparing himself to set out upon an expe- 
dition against the Parthians, the books of the 
Sibyls were produced to prove to him and to 



Julius C^sar. 297 

Ceeaar urged to take the Crown. 

the people that the Parthians could never be 
vanquished, unless the Romans had a king for 
their general. 

So zealous were the friends and flatterers of 
Csesar in the prosecution of this matter, that a 
day was fixed upon on which it should be set- 
tled by a decree of the Senate ; and it was pro- 
posed that in Rome, and throughout all Italy, 
he should be styled Dictator, but that he should 
be acknowledged a king, and take upon him- 
self that title, in respect of all foreign nations 
subject to the Roman empire. * 

From this moment it was agreed, in private 
cabals, that the liberty of Rome could be pre- 
served only by the death of the Dictator. 
Marcus Junius Brutus, whom Csesar loved as 
his own son, and whom he held in the tender- 
est friendship, was at the head of this conspir- 
acy. With him were Cassius, a zealous repub- 
lican, and Casca, and more than sixty senators. 
The day upon which the Senate was to meet 
for the purpose of giving Caesar the title of 
king, was the ides of March, and upon this day 
the conspirators determined to carry their plot 
into execution. A soothsayer had warned 
Csesar to beware the ides of March ; and his 
wife, disturbed by a frightful dream, besought 
him with tears not to go to the Senate-house. 



298 Eepublic of Rome. 

Death of Caesar. 

To please lier, he called his friend Mark An- 
tony, and told him to dismiss the Senate ; but 
Decimus Brutus, one of the conspirators, suc- 
ceeded in overcoming his apprehensions, and 
he proceeded to the capitol. On his way 
thither, a note was placed in his hands, giving 
him an accomit of the conspiracy ; but being 
crowded on every side, he put it by without 
reading it. 

Scarcely had he entered the capitol, when 
all the conspirators came around him, as if to 
do him honor. According to an agreement 
among them, Attilius Cimber, one of their 
number, fell down at his feet to demand the 
pardon of his brother, who was banished* 
Csesar refusing it, the conspirator laid hold of 
the bottom of his robe, and pulled it so hard as 
to make him bow his head. Casca then drew 
his dagger, and pierced the Dictator in the 
neck. "Accursed Casca, what doest thou?" 
he exclaimed, as he seized the assassin and 
dashed him to the ground. " Die, tyrant !" 
shouted all the conspirators, now rushing upon 
him from every side. With all the power 
which he possessed, he at once defended him- 
self against his numerous foes, until perceiving 
among them his beloved Brutus, he exclaimed 
— " And thou, too. ray son !" and then, cover- 



Julius C^sar. 299 

Its Consequences. 

ing his face with his mantle, fell, pierced with 
twenty-three wounds, at the foot of Pompey's 
statue. 

The bloody work was no sooner ended, than 
the conspirators rushed into the Senate-cham- 
ber, and exhorted the senators to give their 
approval to an act that had restored liberty to 
their country. But the senators, confounded 
by the dreadful tragedy, fled to their houses, 
not knowing Avhat they had to hope or fear. 
Then, still holding their bloody daggers in 
their hands, the conspirators flew into the 
streets and proclaimed that they had killed 
the king of Rome, and the tyrant of their coun- 
try. They placed before them a herald, who, 
on the point of a javelin, carried a hat as a 
signal of liberty ; and thus marching along, ex- 
horted the people to lend their aid in restoring 
the commonwealth. But the people not ap- 
pearing by their conduct to favor what had 
been done, they retired to the capitol, grieved 
that the death of a usurper was about to bring 
fresh calamities upon the commonwealth. 

Antony, whom Csesar had made consul, hid 
himself when he first heard of his protector's 
fate ; but on learning the disposition of the 
people, he resolved to revenge his death ; and 
causing Caesar's papers and money to be car- 



300 Eepublic of Kome. 

Mark Antony— Ca&sars Will. 

riect to liis own house, he summoned the Sen- 
ate, in order that the j might determine wheth- 
er Caesar had been a nsm-per or a lawful ma- 
gistrate, and whether those that- killed him de- 
served to be rewarded or punished. 

After a great deal of discussion, conducted 
with abundance of caution, it was finally agreed 
that no one should be prosecuted for Csesar's 
death, and that all the ordinances which he 
had made should continue in full force. An- 
tony was indignant at this decision of the 
Senate, but, dissembling his feelings, he de- 
termined that the conspirators should not go 
unpunished. He had Csesar's will in his pos- 
session ; and he knew full w^ell, that when it 
should be read in the hearing of the people, 
they would rise in anger against his mm-derers. 
After a great deal of difficulty, he obtained 
the permission of the Senate to read it at Cse- 
sar's funeral, at wdiich a vast concourse of the 
citizens were present. Every one listened in- 
tently to the words of the great man, who had 
so endeared himself to them by his munifi- 
cence when alive ; and on finding that he had 
not forgotten to leave them something at his 
death, they were filled with gratitude and 
moved to tears. To every citizen he gave the 
sum of seventy-five Attic drachmas, aud, more- 



Julius C^sar. 301 

Antony's Funeral Oration— Terror of the Conspirators. 

over, left his magnificent gardens to the people. 
Even to some of the principal conspirators he 
had bequeathed the most splendid presents, 
and had appointed them guardians to his 
nephew Octavius, whom he adopted as his son 
and heir. 

But it was dm-ing the delivery of his funeral 
oration, that Antony aroused their feelings 
most. When he gave them a narrative of Cae- 
sar's victories, and enumei*ated his many vir- 
tues, they made the Forum ring with their 
hearty plaudits. But when he pointed to his 
corpse, and told them how he died, they 
frowned, and groaned, and muttered their re- 
sentment. And then, when he held up Caesar's 
bloody robe, and showed them the many rents 
made in it by the daggers of his foes, their rage 
overleaped all bounds. They screamed for 
vengeance, and some of them, flying to the 
houses of the conspirators, swore that they 
would, with fire and sword, sacrifice them to 
Gsesar's ghost. In danger of losing their lives, 
the conspiratoi's left the city as quietly and 
speedily as possible. 

By insensible degrees, Antony advanced to- 
wards the sovereign power ; and the authority 
of* the government seemed to be wholly in his 
hands, when young Octavius, Caesar's grand- 



302 Eepublic of Rome. 

Octavius returns to Eome— Antony's Jealousy. 

nephew, arrived in Rome to take possession of 
his inheritance. This yonng man had been 
sent by his nncle to Apollonia, a city on the 
coast of Epirus, to complete his studies ; and, 
at the time of Caesar's death, he was scarcely 
eighteen years of age. The sad event afflicted 
him sorely, and he resolved to revenge it, and 
to maintain the honor of his adoption at the 
peril of his life. Arriving at Brundusinm, the 
usual place of entrance and departure for trav- 
ellers to and from Greece and Asia, he as- 
sumed the name of Caesar, was introduced with 
much formality into the town, and made the 
master of it. Marching boldly to Rome, he 
was joined by large numbers of his adopted 
father's friends, freedmen, and even slaves. 
Money and every thing was poured in upon 
him ; and, when he came near the city, the 
magistrates, officers of the army, and people 
thronged the gates to meet him. Every one 
came out to do him honor, except the ambi- 
tious Antony, who would not so much as send 
the least of his servants to compliment him in 
his name. 

After young Octavius had caused his adop- 
tion to be confirmed in the most solemn man- 
ner, he went to Antony, begged his friendship, 
and demanded the inheritance left to him by 



Julius C^sar. 303 

Octavius in Favor. 

Caesar, in order to pay the legacies mentioned 
in his will. Antony, at first, refused to ac- 
knowledge his claims, but afterwards changed 
his demeanor, when he found the influence of 
Octavius continually increasing, and his own 
proportionably diminishing. For this increas- 
ing influence, Octavius was in a great measure 
indebted to the large sacrifice which he made 
of his personal projDerty, in order to pay his 
uncle's legacies to the people, who unanimous- 
ly declared in his favor, and against Antony. 

The murderers of Caesar, supported by the 
Senate, and strengthened by large armies, were 
much in the way of the ambitious Antony; 
and he would have gladly united with the 
great man's nephew in destroying them, had 
he not feared that Octavius would grasp at the 
sovereign power. This power being the only 
mark at which he himself aimed, Octavius be- 
came to him no less odious than Brutus or 
Cassius. But the Senate hating them both, 
feared the haughty Antony more than the mod- 
est Octavius ; and for the sake of crushing the 
former they were willing to flatter and honor 
the latter. A seat was given to him in the 
Senate ; and he was induced to join his forces 
with the consuls Hirtius and Pansa against 
Antony, who had refused to comply with a de- 



804 Republic of Rome. 

The Senate opposes Antony. 

cree wliicli required him to remove his army 
from Gallia Cisalpina, where he was fighting 
with Decimus Brutus. 

By this movement of the Senate, Antony 
was nearly ruined ; but he managed to escape 
from the legions of Pansa and Octavius, and 
passed the Alps, in order to join his old friend 
Lepidus, who was still in Gaul, and with the 
hope that he might also secure the aid of Blau- 
cus and Asinius PoUio, former generals of Gse- 
sar, w^ho were all in command of numerous ar- 
mies. Lepidus refused at first to join him, un- 
der pretence that he feared to offend the Sen- 
ate ; but Antony, marching straight up to his 
army, contrived by means of bribes and prom- 
ises to rob him of his command; and after- 
wards secured also the other armies. 

In the mean time the consul Pansa, being at 
the point of death, sent for Octavius, and, 
earnestly entreating him to agree with Antony, 
placed under his authority two legions, w^hich 
had formerly been in his command. These le- 
gions the Senate ordered him to disband, un- 
der pretence that the Republic had no further 
occasion for them. But Octavius, in order that 
he might have the privilege of keeping them 
on foot, offered himself as a candidate for the 
consulship. Finding, however, that the Senate 



Julius O^sar. 305 

Octavius consul — ^Tbe Conspirators proscribed. 

were determined to prevent his election, he 
inarched his forces towards Rome, when the 
terrified senators not only chose him consul, 
bnt caused Quintus Pedius, one of his relatives, 
to be made his colleague. 

Immediately ujDon taking possession of the 
consulate, he caused the impeachment of every 
one who had been engaged in the murder of 
Caesar, and condemned all the conspirators to 
lose their lives for not presenting themselves 
for trial. But Brutus and Cassius, their chiefs, 
being at the head of twenty legions, he con- 
cluded that it would be impossible to destroy 
them as long as Antony continued to oppose 
him. Resolving, therefore, to become recon- 
ciled with him, he induced his colleague to 
propose to the Senate to recall Antony, on the 
ground that it would be to the advantage of 
the commonwealth. To this many of the sena- 
tors were not at all inclined, but they were 
forced to yield; and the decrees against him 
being repealed, Octavius sent to him a propo- 
sition, that they should unite their forces, and 
march against Brutus and Cassius. Antony 
beginning to despair of making himself sole 
master of the sovereign power, determined to 
share it with Octavius ; and, in accordance with 
an arrangement made by their mutual friends, 

20 



306 Kepublic of Kome. 

Octavius and Antony reconciled — The Triumviri. 

tliey met, in company with Lepidus, alone, in a 
little desert island formed by the river Panaro, 
near Modena. They first embraced ; and then 
all three sat down, with no one to overhear the 
agreement made between them concerning the 
disposition of the government of Eome. 

This conference lasted three days, but the 
details of it are not known to any one. It is 
said, however, that they debated what form of 
government they should settle in the common- 
wealth, and in what way they should share 
the sovereign power. Csesar agreed to abdi- 
cate the consulate for the rest of that year, and 
invest Yentidius, one of Antony's lieutenants, 
therewith; and Caesar, Lepidus, and Antony, 
by the title of Triumviri, were to possess the 
sovereign power for five years. After this, 
they divided the provinces, the legions, and 
the treasures of the commonwealth between 
them, as if all these had been their patrimony. 
But as a great deal of money was necessary for 
them to carry out their plans, they resolved to 
make themselves easy on this score by the pro- 
scription of the wealthiest and most powerful 
citizens of Rome. A list of them was drawn 
up, among whom were Paulus, the brother of 
Lepidus, and Lucius Csesar, the uncle of Anto- 
ny, and Cicero, the tried friend of young Oc- 



Julius C^sar. 307 

The end of the Commonwealth. 

tavius. Tliree hundred senators, and more 
than two thousand knights, were involved in 
this horrible proscription. 

Then began the war with the commonwealth, 
which now had no existence save in the camp 
of the conspirators* Caesar and Antony went 
together with their legions into Macedonia, 
where Brutus and Cassius were endeavoring to 
keep alive the last spark of Koman liberty. 
The hostile armies met near the town of Phi- 
lippi. For a while nothing but skirmishes took 
place, in which the conspirators were always 
most successful. But the day finally arrived 
whereon the fortune and destiny of the com- 
monwealth were decided. It was a furious 
battle. The plains of Philippi were deluged 
with blood, and on them were buried the re- 
mains of liberty, with the bodies of Brutus, of 
Cassius, and of the chiefs of the conspirators, 
and the last of the genuine Romans. From 
this gory field sprang forth the Empire. Upon 
it, all the friends of the Republic lay, and Octa- 
vius felt that he could now reign alone. The 
ruin of his colleague, Lepidus, was easily ac- 
complished ; and then a quarrel, and finally a 
fight near Actium, left Octavius the master of. 
the world. 

For a long time this successful man, though 



308 Eepublic of Rome. 

Honor paid to Octavius. 

indifterent soldier, hesitated whether he should 
assume the title of king, or reign under some 
other name. Finally he resolved to retain the 
sovereign power, and to cause himself to be 
styled Augustus Imjperator^ a title sometimes 
given to victorious generals, and to which no 
odium was yet attached. In the mean time 
he still allowed in Eome the offices of consul, 
prgetor, asdile, and other republican magistrates, 
but made them all subservient to his private 
ends and interests. During his reign, peace 
and plenty flourished anew, and the temple of 
Janus was closed for the third time since the 
foundation of Rome. He adorned the city in 
such a manner that it was truly said, that " he 
found it of brick, and left it of marble." The 
people erected altars to him, and, by a decree 
of the Senate, the month Sextiles was, in honor 
of him, called August. But all that further re- 
lates to him and to his successors, will be found 
m the volume entitled The Empire of Rome. 



THE END. 



VI 73 7 




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